1. McKinley Morganfield, better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who was an important figure in the post-World War II blues scene, and is often cited as the "father of modern Chicago blues".
26 Facts About Muddy Waters
1. 2.
Muddy Waters grew up on Stovall Plantation near Clarksdale, Mississippi, and by age 17 was playing the guitar and the harmonica, copying local blues artists Son House and Robert Johnson.
3.
Muddy Waters' music has influenced various American music genres, including rock and roll and subsequently rock.
4.
Muddy Waters stated that he was born in 1915 at Rolling Fork in Sharkey County, Mississippi, but other evidence suggests that he was born in the unincorporated community of Jug's Corner, in neighboring Issaquena County, in 1913.
5.
Muddy Waters recalled arriving in Chicago as the single most momentous event in his life.
6.
Muddy Waters lived with a relative for a short period while driving a truck and working in a factory by day and performing at night.
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Muddy Waters's band became a proving ground for some of the city's best blues talent, with members of the ensemble going on to successful careers of their own.
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The rivalry was, in part, stoked by Willie Dixon providing songs to both artists, with Wolf suspecting that Muddy Waters was getting Dixon's best songs.
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Also in 1958, Chess released his first compilation album, The Best of Muddy Waters, which collected twelve of his singles up to 1956.
10.
Muddy Waters toured England with Spann in 1958 where they were backed by local Dixieland-style or "trad jazz" musicians, including Chris Barber and members of his band.
11.
In October 1963, Muddy Waters participated in the first of several annual European tours, organized as the American Folk Blues Festival, during which he performed more acoustic-oriented numbers.
12.
The Super Super Blues Band united Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters, who had a long-standing rivalry.
13.
Muddy Waters brought with him two American musicians, harmonica player Carey Bell and guitarist Sammy Lawhorn.
14.
Muddy Waters was dissatisfied by the results, due to the British musicians' more rock-oriented sound.
15.
Muddy Waters won another Grammy for his last LP on Chess, The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album, recorded in 1975 with a new band, guitarist Bob Margolin; pianist Pinetop Perkins and Paul Butterfield on harmonica with Levon Helm and Garth Hudson of the Band on drums, organ, accordion and saxophone.
16.
Muddy Waters performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1972,1974 and 1977.
17.
Muddy Waters was married to his first wife, Mabel Berry, from 1932 to 1935.
18.
Muddy Waters had at least six children, including illegitimate children.
19.
Muddy Waters died in his sleep at his home in Westmont, Illinois, on April 30,1983 from heart failure and cancer-related complications.
20.
Muddy Waters was taken from his Westmont home, where he lived for the last decade of his life, to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he was pronounced dead.
21.
Muddy Waters received a plaque on the Clarksdale Walk of Fame.
22.
Eric Clapton was a big fan of Muddy Waters growing up and his band Cream covered "Rollin' and Tumblin'" on their 1966 debut album, Fresh Cream.
23.
You've got the Japanese Muddy Waters Society corresponding with fans in Sweden and England, and his music can still propel a party in the US He made three chords sound deep, and they are.
24.
Muddy Waters' songs have been featured in long-time fan Martin Scorsese's movies, including The Color of Money, Goodfellas, and Casino.
25.
Muddy Waters is a central character in the 2008 American biographical drama film Cadillac Records.
26.
The role of Muddy Waters is played by Jeffrey Wright.