Sammy David Lawhorn was an American Chicago blues guitarist, best known as a member of Muddy Waters's band.
15 Facts About Sammy Lawhorn
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Sammy Lawhorn accompanied many other blues musicians, including Otis Spann, Willie Cobbs, Eddie Boyd, Roy Brown, Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton and Junior Wells.
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Sammy Lawhorn made his own diddley bow, nailing baling twine to the side of their house.
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Sammy Lawhorn frequently visited his mother and stepfather in Chicago.
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Sammy Lawhorn was conscripted in 1953 and served in the United States Navy.
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Sammy Lawhorn remained in the Navy until his discharge in 1958.
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Sammy Lawhorn then moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he played on recordings with the "5" Royales, Eddie Boyd, Roy Brown and Willie Cobbs.
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Sammy Lawhorn's guitar playing was featured when the band supplied backing for John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton and Otis Spann.
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However, Sammy Lawhorn's career was beginning to be hampered by his drinking.
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Sammy Lawhorn passed out on stage over his amplifier and off stage while sitting in clubs, and he missed some shows altogether.
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Sammy Lawhorn returned to playing in Chicago clubs and remained in the recording industry, contributing to Junior Wells's On Tap and James Cotton's Take Me Back.
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Sammy Lawhorn played guitar on recorded work by Koko Taylor, Jimmy Witherspoon, Little Mack Simmons, and L C Robinson.
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Sammy Lawhorn offered assistance to up-and-coming musicians, including John Primer, who became his disciple.
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Sammy Lawhorn's health began to fail as a result of alcoholism and arthritis.
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Sammy Lawhorn died on April 29,1990, at the age of 54.