Coming home from work around 1976, i spied a little neon sign that read...'John Lee Hooker One night only'. So, I swung around and pulled into this dinky little dive bar that was only a few blocks from where I worked on Piquette & Beaubien street in Detroit, kiddy corner from the old Henry Ford plant. I walked in to find out the time that Hooker went on, and maybe get a quick shot, and that's when the bartender said, "Why don't You turn around and ask Johnny yourself". To my surprise, there was Hooker setting up. I slammed the shot, and asked the bartender for another one. He poured and had a little grin & gleam in his eyes as he poured. Mind you, this was a Black neighborhood and a black bar also. But, I was used to it from having worked in the area for years, and being from Detroit, where there was less racism then, as there ever was than today. I still was pretty darn nervous meeting one of my favorite Blues performer, but John was a real deal gentleman, and made me feel like i was his best friend. He said, "Make it down here boy, and I'll make sure You get a couple of seats for You & your lady friend right here up front row. Hooker & his band did not let anyone down, they nailed it and even sounded totally insane in that small bar setting. After his sets, I got John Lee to sign my '61 Les Paul Jr. with an electric engraving gun. Hooker said..."You sure you wants me to mar the back up" and I said...''Yes Yes, make it big so everyone will see it''. He laughed & I ordered a few drinks for the band & John, and we talked shop. I told him i seen Canned Heat Boogie till 5am at the Eastown Theatre a few years back. Hooker just laughed and said he really liked those guys in Canned Heat, and was due back to California to cut some more sessions with them. He explained he was only back in Detroit because of a death in the family. Ironically, what was left of Hastings street was only a minute walking distance from where we were. *R.i.P Mr. John Lee Hooker. *P.s. I still have that '61 L.P. Jr. and it will always be cherished, and be an heirloom to forever stay in the Family.
A friend of mine played w/ JLH & took me to John’s home in Redwood City a few times. One time, we sat in Johns b-room & talked. Over in the corner was a brand new Gibson ES guitar w/ John’s name inlaid in the fretboard. Given to him from Gibson. He asked me if I played & I said a little and he told me, “pick it up & play something for me” 👀 He luved Hendrix! I nervously fumbled through Jimi’s ‘Hey Joe’ & JLH says; that mighty fine. He autographed a couple of things for me & we continued talking for a bit. What a great experience it was...
JLH was one of America's greatest musicians. His words are raw and truthful. More soul than James Brown and Otis Redding combined. I know... a bold statement but an indication the of how much I treasure this man and his incomparable music. In 1968 I had a chance to see JLH at the Golden Bear in Berkeley. To my everlasting regret I didn't go. Fool! 😎
That was great ! John Lee did a live version of Tupelo that references Elvis in a gripping way, and it is on a live album called The Cream, be sure to look for the 2004 or 2009 Charly 2-cd reissue with the bonus tracks, 20 tracks in total. Worth it 100%. One of the mightiest cd’s in my entire blues cd collection, and the essence of John Lee Hooker, live.
As a kid in the Bay Area, I frequently saw a mercedes parked on San Carlos Ave, in front of a diner. Years later I found out that was John Lee's car. While visiting parents in '97 I met John in a club that was on the way out to La Honda--can't remember it's name.He came in with the two blonde ladies, I got to shake his hand and was surprised that it was a gentle shake, thinking that his playing would add up to a muscular hand shake . I believe John Garcia was there with band and eventually John Lee played . Oh, my sister and brother -in -law live in a house that John Lee had built for him, they still do and the times I've been in it , I think of HIM--Boogie on !!!
My brother Pete had met him and would jam with him in Gilroy CA. He would teach him to play the blues and I went along him one day. He was a very deep man and would spark up a conversationr that last for hours.
Questo grande artista esprime l'originilita' dello stato umano racconta lo sfruttamento dell'uomo sul suo simile la sete di liberta' il ritmo musicale caratteristico gradevole dell'uomo di colore con la sua voce fatta piu' per cantare che per parlare mi da una senzazione di benessere e' rilassatezza .grazie a questo grande genio .😃👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👌👌👌👌👌
They wouldn’t know music if it hit them in there head . I was fortunate to meet him backstage at one of his shows in Sf , Gregg Alman and Santana showed up to play Omage to the King
Yup life is shit and thats what these bastards do whith eversince,john lee hooker very spiritual kind of blues story ,history thru my soul,the healer is good man
Coming home from work around 1976, i spied a little neon sign that read...'John Lee Hooker One night only'. So, I swung around and pulled into this dinky little dive bar that was only a few blocks from where I worked on Piquette & Beaubien street in Detroit, kiddy corner from the old Henry Ford plant. I walked in to find out the time that Hooker went on, and maybe get a quick shot, and that's when the bartender said, "Why don't You turn around and ask Johnny yourself". To my surprise, there was Hooker setting up. I slammed the shot, and asked the bartender for another one. He poured and had a little grin & gleam in his eyes as he poured. Mind you, this was a Black neighborhood and a black bar also. But, I was used to it from having worked in the area for years, and being from Detroit, where there was less racism then, as there ever was than today. I still was pretty darn nervous meeting one of my favorite Blues performer, but John was a real deal gentleman, and made me feel like i was his best friend. He said, "Make it down here boy, and I'll make sure You get a couple of seats for You & your lady friend right here up front row. Hooker & his band did not let anyone down, they nailed it and even sounded totally insane in that small bar setting. After his sets, I got John Lee to sign my '61 Les Paul Jr. with an electric engraving gun. Hooker said..."You sure you wants me to mar the back up" and I said...''Yes Yes, make it big so everyone will see it''. He laughed & I ordered a few drinks for the band & John, and we talked shop. I told him i seen Canned Heat Boogie till 5am at the Eastown Theatre a few years back. Hooker just laughed and said he really liked those guys in Canned Heat, and was due back to California to cut some more sessions with them. He explained he was only back in Detroit because of a death in the family. Ironically, what was left of Hastings street was only a minute walking distance from where we were. *R.i.P Mr. John Lee Hooker.
*P.s. I still have that '61 L.P. Jr. and it will always be cherished, and be an heirloom to forever stay in the Family.
One of my guitar heros!
He left a voicemail for Carlos Santana the night before he passed. “I just want to say that I loves God and I loves people”
A friend of mine played w/ JLH & took me to John’s home in Redwood City a few times.
One time, we sat in Johns b-room & talked. Over in the corner was a brand new Gibson ES guitar w/ John’s name inlaid in the fretboard. Given to him from Gibson. He asked me if I played & I said a little and he told me, “pick it up & play something for me” 👀 He luved Hendrix!
I nervously fumbled through Jimi’s ‘Hey Joe’ & JLH says; that mighty fine.
He autographed a couple of things for me & we continued talking for a bit.
What a great experience it was...
One of the greatest
when I asked my Daddy how did John Lee play like that, he said " well John Lee play the whole guitar ..."
Um hm NEW KING OF THE BLUES!!!!! "COUNTRYBOY" m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3428935810483924&id=100001026151518
King of the Boogie🔥
I just heard a radio dj play St. Germain and he forgot to mention JohnLeeHooker, I screamed back at the radio
There ought to be a longer documentary on John Lee Hooker.
Never seen such a confident musician. The Man knows he's good. kind of like watching Ted Williams hit
Im here because of Kendrick Lamar
JLH was one of America's greatest musicians. His words are raw and truthful. More soul than James Brown and Otis Redding combined. I know... a bold statement but an indication the of how much I treasure this man and his incomparable music. In 1968 I had a chance to see JLH at the Golden Bear in Berkeley. To my everlasting regret I didn't go. Fool! 😎
Rest in power Mr Lee
That was great ! John Lee did a live version of Tupelo that references Elvis in a gripping way, and it is on a live album called The Cream, be sure to look for the 2004 or 2009 Charly 2-cd reissue with the bonus tracks, 20 tracks in total. Worth it 100%. One of the mightiest cd’s in my entire blues cd collection, and the essence of John Lee Hooker, live.
Well done. THANK YOU!
total influence on the ' British Invasion ' .
Thank you.
But the music coming from Detroit will remain for ever.
Bravo !
i’m gonna be like him one day
As a kid in the Bay Area, I frequently saw a mercedes parked on San Carlos Ave, in front of a diner. Years later I found out that was John Lee's car. While visiting parents in '97 I met John in a club that was on the way out to La Honda--can't remember it's name.He came in with the two blonde ladies, I got to shake his hand and was surprised that it was a gentle shake, thinking that his playing would add up to a muscular hand shake . I believe John Garcia was there with band and eventually John Lee played . Oh, my sister and brother -in -law live in a house that John Lee had built for him, they still do and the times I've been in it , I think of HIM--Boogie on !!!
Jeff Bartolini thanks for sharing this story!
NEW KING OF THE BLUES!!!!! "COUNTRYBOY" m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3428935810483924&id=100001026151518
Reincarnated by Kendrick Lamar brought me here and I am so glad I followed. RIP John Lee HOOKER
Johnny Lee Hooker, was and will be the opitame of all that should want to bring it forward 💓
I met john in the late seventies when in high school
My brother Pete had met him and would jam with him in Gilroy CA. He would teach him to play the blues and I went along him one day. He was a very deep man and would spark up a conversationr that last for hours.
He is the shit
is it possible that i can get in contact with the person that composed and or created this doc? PLEASE?
Soul...rythm for soul...for thinks...for better time of life...medytation.
Let that boy boogie woogie...
J'adore 🤟🏻🕶️🥃🥃
Questo grande artista esprime l'originilita' dello stato umano racconta lo sfruttamento dell'uomo sul suo simile la sete di liberta' il ritmo musicale caratteristico gradevole dell'uomo di colore con la sua voce fatta piu' per cantare che per parlare mi da una senzazione di benessere e' rilassatezza .grazie a questo grande genio .😃👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👌👌👌👌👌
How the hell do 2 people dislike this?
The world is füll of freaks
6 for now (another 6 lost souls in this goddam world)
Impossible to believe.
They are Justin Beaver fans...😎
They wouldn’t know music if it hit them in there head . I was fortunate to meet him backstage at one of his shows in Sf , Gregg Alman and Santana showed up to play Omage to the King
Yup life is shit and thats what these bastards do whith eversince,john lee hooker very spiritual kind of blues story ,history thru my soul,the healer is good man
Kendrick's pen Gloria......GODDAMMIT!!! 🔥
Aha, thou are here i see 😏👊
super melodie
Alessandro de Souza AXÉ cablocos panteras Negras
The unbalanced stereo sound SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!
;)
Detroit: a greedy kapitalist caterpilar swallowed away the benefits from the working classes spending their lives to build that dream: ‘Motor City.’
the people Build it the Heads of Detroit tare it down and the rewards gos in their Bank accounts .leaving the People behind ..
This guy is not a singer
Something like documentary narrator