Dixon, Willie (1915-1992), was an important American blues composer, musician, and singer. He played a major role in the development of the modern blues sound. Dixon’s songs were recorded by many famous blues and rock artists, including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.
William James Dixon was born on July 1, 1915, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He sang with a gospel quartet as a child. In 1936, Dixon moved to Chicago, where he began singing and playing bass with a group called the Five Breezes. He made his first recording in 1940.
In 1948, Dixon began working for Chess Records, a blues and early rock ‘n’ roll record label in Chicago. From 1951 to the early 1960’s, he became the label’s primary songwriter and producer. Dixon’s most famous Chess compositions include “Hoochie Coochie Man” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You” (both 1954), first recorded by Muddy Waters; “My Babe” (1955), first recorded by Little Walter; “Evil” (1954), “Spoonful” (1960), “Back Door Man” (1961), “I Ain’t Superstitious” (1961), “Little Red Rooster” (1961), and “Wang Dang Doodle” (1961), all first recorded by Howlin’ Wolf; and “Bring It On Home” (1965), first recorded by Sonny Boy Williamson II. Dixon also played bass on a number of these recordings.
Dixon wrote the autobiography I Am the Blues: The Willie Dixon Story (1989, with Don Snowden). Dixon died on Jan. 29, 1992. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
See also Howlin’ Wolf ; Waters, Muddy .
