Willie Dixon was the “father of Chicago blues” and, as such, influenced generations of rock and rollers. He has over 500 songs to his credit, and a list of artists who recorded them reads like the Hall of Fame and then some. Willie Dixon was a giant of a man, a giant talent, and left a giant’s legacy.

William James Dixon was born in Vicksburg, MS. His mother had a habit of speaking in rhyme. What better upbringing for a songwriter? Willie’s early influences were typical: gospel, blue, country & western. He first sang in public in church, then local radio. He was writing and selling songs to local bands in his teens.

Dixon left Mississippi for Chicago in 1936. He first took up boxing. A heavyweight, standing 6’6” and weighing 250#, he won the Illinois Golden Gloves Novice title in 1937, turned pro, and became a sparring partner of Joe Louis, before quitting in a dispute over money with his manager. Standing on his principals became a hallmark of Willie’s life.

Willie had met Leonard Caston at the gym. The two sang together and Caston taught him to play the bass (he later learned to play guitar), and convinced Willie he could make a career of music. Willie founded The Five Breezes, The Four Jumps of Jive, and The Big Three Trio, all of which produced records. World War II intervened, and Willie refused induction as a conscientious objector. He would not serve a country that legalized, institutionalized and condoned racism. He served a year in prison.

In 1951, Willie was hired by Chess Records and developed into a session bass player, singer, songwriter, arranger and producer. He worked with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Little Walter, Koko Taylor, Memphis Slim, and others. During a few years in the late 50s, he worked for cross-town rival Cobra records, writing, producing and playing for Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, and Magic Sam.

Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy

A few of Willie’s best known songs include: “Hootchie Cootchie Man” “I’m Ready” “I Just Want to Make Love to You” “Backdoor Man” “Spoonful” “Little Red Rooster” “I Ain’t Superstitious” “My Babe” and “Whang Dang Doodle”.

Willie began performing more in the 60s, and began releasing solo albums in 1970. He also became a staunch advocate for securing copyrights and royalties for the old blues artists whose works were being covered without compensation by rock and roll groups. He established the Blues Heaven Foundation for this purpose, and personally sued Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin twice for plagiarism on “Bring It On Home” and “Whole Lotta Love”. Both cases resulted in sizable out of court settlements and writer’s credit.

Gregg Allman, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Willie Dixon

Willie’s songs have been covered by the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Thorogood, J. Geils Band, Bruce Springsteen, Canned Heat, Ten Years After, Johnny Winter, Eric Burdon, the Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread Panic, Jimmy Hendrix, Motorhead, Megadeth, Jeff Beck Group, the Yardbirds, White Stripes, Humble Pie, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Bo Diddley, Fleetwood Mac, the Allman Brothers Band, and many, many others.

Willie Dixon died in his sleep from heart failure on January 29, 1992. He was posthumously inducted into the rock HOF in 1994 in the Early Influences category.