About Blues Music: T-Bone Walker

Born: May 28, 1910

Died: March 16, 1975

T-Bone Walker was a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who pioneered the jump blues and electric blues sounds. The Linden, Texas native enjoyed some success recording and performing in Chicago for various record labels including Atlantic, Imperial and Black & White records. B.B. King credits T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday” as the reason he picked up the guitar. Walker also influenced Chuck Berry and the Allman Brothers.

What is Blues Music About According to T-Bone Walker: Slow it down and feel it longer. Ex: Slow down the 12 bar blues in order to feel every note longer, like in “Stormy Monday”

How to Gear Up Like T-Bone Walker: (All Gibsons) ES 250 (1930s-1950s), ES-5 (1950s-1970s), ES-335 (early 1970s). T-Bone occasionally used a Gibson Barney Kessell model in the 1960s-1970s. Amp: Fender tweed 4×10 Bassman. In the late 30s and early 40s, T-Bone is reputed to have plugged into a Gibson EH-150.

Essential Blues Music Tracks from T-Bone Walker:
Stormy Monday

Goin to Chicago

Well Known Covers of T-Bone Walker Songs:
Stormy Monday – Allman Brothers

Famous for Playing With: Teddy Buckner, Lloyd Green, Billy Hadnott