Willie Dixon on DeBaser: roots, riffs and Chicago swagger

The Profile

Willie Dixon (born in Vicksburg, Mississippi; died in 1992) was an American blues bassist, singer, songwriter, producer, and key architect of Chicago blues. He wrote standards such as Hoochie Coochie Man, I Just Want to Make Love to You, Spoonful, Little Red Rooster, Back Door Man, Evil, My Babe, and Bring It On Home. He founded the Blues Heaven Foundation and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Pillar of Chess Records; wrote major hits for Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and others; author of the autobiography I Am the Blues (1989); his song You Need Love was the basis for Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love, leading to a successful legal claim; founded the Blues Heaven Foundation; inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1994).

Three DeBaser reviews map Willie Dixon’s role as a cornerstone of Chicago blues, bassist, producer, and master songwriter. They highlight his authorship of standards later cut by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and others, and his massive influence on rock bands. Key releases discussed include Willie's Blues, I Am the Blues, and The Chess Box. There’s nods to his autobiography, the Blues Heaven Foundation, and the Zeppelin case.

Notable Quotes

❝ Listen, the blues are the roots and all other forms of music are the fruits. The roots need to be preserved to yield good fruit. The blues are the roots of all music and as long as there's music, there will be blues.

❝ Chicago Blues owes a lot to him, and he owes much to Chicago Blues.

❝ Waters and Dixon, one a great interpreter, the other a composer, producer, bassist, and talent scout, provided a greater contribution to the affirmation of Chicago Blues than anyone else.