Willie Dixon

William James Dixon (July 1, 1915 – January 29, 1992) was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. He was proficient in playing both the upright bass and the guitar, and sang with a distinctive voice, but he is perhaps best known as one of the most prolific songwriters of his time. Next to Muddy Waters, Dixon is recognized as the most influential person in shaping the post–World War II sound of the Chicago blues.

Dixon's songs have been recorded by countless musicians in many genres as well as by various ensembles in which he participated. A short list of his most famous compositions includes "Hoochie Coochie Man", "I Just Want to Make Love to You", "Little Red Rooster", "My Babe", "Spoonful", and "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover". These songs were written during the peak years of Chess Records, from 1950 to 1965, and were performed by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Bo Diddley; they influenced a generation of musicians worldwide.

Dixon was an important link between the blues and rock and roll, working with Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley in the late 1950s. In the 1960s, his songs were adapted by numerous rock artists. He received a Grammy Award and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 1, 1915 (Vicksburg), Died January 29, 1992 (Burbank)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1947 - 1959

Roles Represented in DAHR: string bass, songwriter, vocalist, leader

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 126-150 of 165 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Chess 7842 10-in. 5/31/1955 If you're mine The Allstars ; Willie Dixon leader, songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7847 10-in. 7/15/1955 It ain't no secret (what my baby can do) Jimmy Witherspoon songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7848 10-in. 7/15/1955 Why do I love you like I do? Jimmy Witherspoon songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7873 10-in. 7/31/1955 Walking the blues The Allstars ; Willie Dixon vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7888 10-in. 8/12/1955 I hate to see you go Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7942 10-in. Nov., 1955 Crazy for my baby Willie Dixon vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7943 10-in. Nov., 1955 I am the lover man Willie Dixon vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7944 10-in. Nov., 1955 The pain in my heart Willie Dixon vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7946 10-in. Nov., 1955 Diddy wah diddy Bo Diddley songwriter, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7947 10-in. Nov., 1955 I am looking for a woman Bo Diddley instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7966 10-in. Dec., 1955 One more chance with you Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7967 10-in. Dec., 1955 Who Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 7969 10-in. Dec., 1955 It ain't right Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8019 10-in. 2/9/1956 Tollin' bells Lowell Fulson songwriter  
Chess 8068 10-in. March, 1956 Flying saucer Jukes (Musical group : Little Walter) ; Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8190 10-in. 7/27/1956 29 ways Willie Dixon songwriter, vocalist, instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8191 10-in. 7/27/1956 It's too late brother Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess U8192 10-in. 7/27/1956 Teenage beat Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8193 10-in. 7/27/1956 Take me back Little Walter instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8205 10-in. 8/7/1956 Keep it to yourself Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8207 10-in. 8/7/1956 The key (to your door) Sonny Boy Williamson instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8217 10-in. 8/15/1956 Alarm clock blues Floyd Dixon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8220 10-in. 8/15/1956 I'm ashamed of myself Floyd Dixon instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8272 10-in. Oct., 1956 Cops and robbers Bo Diddley instrumentalist, string bass  
Chess 8273 10-in. 1956 Down home special Billy Boy Arnold ; Bo Diddley ; Willie Dixon instrumentalist, string bass  
(Results 126-150 of 165 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dixon, Willie," accessed September 19, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

Dixon, Willie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved September 19, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926.

"Dixon, Willie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 September 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/357926

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