Little Walter in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2008-03-17 12:37:00

I missed this last week, but Little Walter made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's too bad he didn't make it to the after show party. I wonder if Madonna would have sung Dead Presidents with him on the harp. I know, it's only Rock and Roll.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces its Inductees for 2008: "Little Walter (May 1, 1930 - February 15, 1968) Although Little Walter might not have been the first person to amplify the harmonica, his pioneering use of the microphone helped establish the modern blues harmonica. With a mike clasped to his harp, Little Walter created echoing, moaning, hornlike sounds that redefined the capabilities of the instrument. Walter Jacobs had fourteen top ten hits on the R&B charts in the 1950's including two number #1 songs "Juke" and "My Babe." Little Walter toured and recorded extensively with blues great Muddy Waters in the 1950's. He also recorded with Jimmy Rogers, Memphis Minnie, Otis Rush and Bo Diddley. Little Walter's influence was pervasive, especially in England where the next generation of harp players such as Mick Jagger listened to his records over and over."