John Lee Hooker was a blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter born on August 22, 1917, near Clarksdale, Mississippi. He became one of the most influential figures in electric blues, developing a distinctive boogie style built on hypnotic one-chord vamps, droning rhythms, and deeply personal lyrics often improvised in the studio. His songwriting catalog spans over 500 compositions recorded across five decades. His 1948 debut "Boogie Chillen'" topped the R&B charts, followed by hits including "Crawling King Snake," "I'm in the Mood," "Hobo Blues," and "Boom Boom," all of which became widely covered blues standards. Hooker collaborated with artists ranging from Canned Heat to Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, and Van Morrison, particularly on his late-career comeback albums like The Healer. His songs influenced generations of rock and blues musicians, and his compositions were adapted by bands including the Rolling Stones, the Animals, and the Doors. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hooker died on June 21, 2001, in Los Altos, California.
