<back - MUDDY WATERS aka McKINLEY MORGANFIELD - McKinley Morganfield was born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi on April 4, 1915. When he was just 3 years old, his mother died, so his maternal grandmother took over his care, and he moved the small town of Clarksdale, about 100 miles north of his hometown. Muddy Waters learned how to play the harmonica when he was 13, and the guitar at the age of 17. His early influences were Son House, and Robert Johnson. Muddy Waters loved the sound of the 'bottleneck' style of guitar for his accompaniment. While working on Stovall plantation, he made a name for himself locally as a Bluesman.

 In 1941 he cut his first record for the Library of Congress Folksong Archives. Headed up by Alan Lomax, who was responsible for rediscovering many great Blues artists who were virtually unknown to white audiences.  Muddy Waters recorded for him for two years. In 1943, Muddy Waters moved to Chicago, under the wing of Big Bill Broonzy. It was here that Muddy Waters got his first electric guitar. His first recordings were with Columbia Records, but, unfortunately, the recordings weren't issued until 1971. In 1950, he signed with Chess Records, and scored a hit with the single I Can't Be Satisfied/I Feel Like Going Home. Little Walter, James Cotton, Otis Spann, Jr.Wells, Jimmy Rogers, Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon, Luther Tucker, Walter Horton, Sam Lay are just some of the musicians who played with the Muddy Waters Band aka 'The Headhunters'. Muddy's songs like Mannish Boy and Long Distance Call were accented by Willie Dixon's 'Hoochie Coochie Man', and I Just Want to Make Love To You. In 1958, he released The Best of Muddy Waters. That same year, he toured England. It was a huge success, and worked to broaden his audience. In 1960, he and his band turned the Newport Folk Festival into a Blues bash. In the 60's and 70's, he released several successful albums. One of which, entitled Fathers and Sons, paid homage to his musical achievements by featuring several young artists. They included Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield and Rod Piazza to name a few. Throughout the 70's, Muddy Waters toured constantly all over the world. The album They Call Me Muddy Waters won him a Grammy for best ethnic/traditional recording in 1971. By 1977, he had ended his relationship with Chess, and signed with BlueSky with the unwavering devotion of producer/guitarist Johnny Winter. His first album, Hard Again, won him his second Grammy. In 1978, he released another album I'm Ready. Muddy released 2 more albums after that, Muddy 'Mississippi' Waters Live and King Bee. April 30, 1983, he passed away peacefully. Muddy Waters was inducted into Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame (1980) and Rock&Roll Hall of Fame 1987.  MP3- Can't Be Satisfied | Mannish Boy |