J.B. Lenoir (J.B. is his given name) was raised in rural Mississippi listening to the blues of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup and Sam "Lighting" Hopkins. After his father started teaching him the guitar at the age of eight, J.B. developed a high- pitched voice, hook-laden songwriting, and a high-energy boogie guitar style. It was so unique that no other artists have attempted to imitate it. By his mid-teens, he had drifted to New Orleans where he polished his skills his playing with Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck Miller) and Elmore James. Arriving in Chicago in 1949, J.B. found employment at a meat-packing plant. At night, he was introduced around the local club scene by Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Minnie. By 1951, with his talent recognized, he entered a recording studio with Sunnyland Slim (piano), Alfred Wallace (drums), Leroy Foster (bass), and J.T. Brown (sax). These sessions led to the politically influenced songs "Eisenhower Blues" and "Korea Blues." Over the next 15 years, he wrote and recorded the classics "Round and Round," "Voodoo Music," "I Feel So Good," and "Been Down So Long." With the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam War in full swing, J.B. returned to his political roots with "Alabama March," "Shot James Meredith," and "Vietnam Blues." J.B. Lenoir was a dynamic performer who often appeared wearing full-length, custom-made tuxedo tails of various colors, zebra-striped being his favorite. In the spring of 1967, he was involved in an automobile accident and died three weeks later, possibly of undiagnosed internal injuries.
J.B. Lenoir (J.B. is his given name) was raised in rural Mississippi listening to the blues of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup and Sam "Lighting" Hopkins. After his father started teaching him the guitar at the age of eight, J.B. developed a high- pitched voice, hook-laden songwriting, and a high-energy boogie guitar style. It was so unique that no other artists have attempted to imitate it. By his mid-teens, he had drifted to New Orleans where he polished his skills his playing with Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck Miller) and Elmore James. Arriving in Chicago in 1949, J.B. found employment at a meat-packing plant. At night, he was introduced around the local club scene by Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Minnie. By 1951, with his talent recognized, he entered a recording studio with Sunnyland Slim (piano), Alfred Wallace (drums), Leroy Foster (bass), and J.T. Brown (sax). These sessions led to the politically influenced songs "Eisenhower Blues" and "Korea Blues." Over the next 15 years, he wrote and recorded the classics "Round and Round," "Voodoo Music," "I Feel So Good," and "Been Down So Long." With the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam War in full swing, J.B. returned to his political roots with "Alabama March," "Shot James Meredith," and "Vietnam Blues." J.B. Lenoir was a dynamic performer who often appeared wearing full-length, custom-made tuxedo tails of various colors, zebra-striped being his favorite. In the spring of 1967, he was involved in an automobile accident and died three weeks later, possibly of undiagnosed internal injuries.
Bio by: Jim Adams
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