Willie Dixon’s lasting blues legacy; 34th anniversary of his death

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — Today marks the 34th anniversary of the death of legendary blues singer and songwriter Willie James Dixon, who died Jan. 29, 1992. He was 76.

Dixon was born in 1915 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, one of 14 children. He developed an interest in music at an early age and sang his first song at Springfield Baptist Church when he was 4.

In 1936, Dixon left Mississippi for Chicago, where he initially pursued boxing and became the Illinois State Golden Gloves heavyweight champion in 1937. He later shifted his focus to music, performing in several vocal groups and establishing himself as a prolific songwriter.

Dixon wrote or co-wrote some of the most influential songs in blues history, including “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Spoonful,” “Little Red Rooster,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “My Babe.”

Throughout his career, Dixon worked with many legendary artists, including Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Rush, Bo Diddley, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson II.

Dixon received a Grammy Award and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He died of heart failure in 1992.