American bluesman (1915-1983). Real name:
McKinley Morganfield. He was born in
Rolling Fork, Mississippi, but his mother died when he was just three, so he was raised by his
grandmother,
Della Grant, in
Clarksdale, Mississippi. Mrs. Grant gave him his
nickname because as a child, he loved to play in the mud of a nearby creek. Waters taught himself to play
harmonica as a
child before learning
guitar at the age of 17. His early
influences included
Robert Johnson (of course) and
Son House.
Waters was first
recorded in 1941, when
Alan Lomax, a
Library of Congress archivist with an ear for
talent, heard him when researching
folk music in the
Deep South.
He moved from
Mississippi to
Chicago in 1943, where he broke away from the
acoustic country blues style by taking up
electric guitar and
slide guitar, which
revolutionized American blues. Acoustic blues was still beloved, but
electric blues had
power. Waters formed a
blues band which included pianist
Otis Spann, harmonica whiz
Little Walter, bassist/songwriter
Willie Dixon, and guitar virtuoso
Jimmy Rogers.
Waters' hits included "
Blow Wind Blow," "
Trouble No More," "
Got My Mojo Workin'," "
Rock Me," "
Rollin' and Tumblin'," "
I'm Ready," and "
Hoochie Coochie Man" -- possibly the most recognizable
blues song in existence. His
music helped popularize
Chicago blues, and he is considered one of the most
influential artists contributing to the development of
rock and roll. You think it's just coincidence that the
Rolling Stones have the same name as one of Muddy's
biggest hits?