♫ Jazzapedia

hound dog taylor

Biography

Theodore Roosevelt "Hound Dog" Taylor was born on April 12, 1915, in Natchez, Mississippi, though some sources cite 1917 as his birth year. He began his musical journey on the piano before switching to guitar at age 20, playing in Delta juke joints while working as a sharecropper. In 1942, Taylor moved to Chicago, immersing himself in the city's vibrant blues scene and developing his signature electrified slide guitar style, which was raw, exuberant, and deeply rooted in the traditions of the South Side clubs.

Taylor's career took a pivotal turn in 1970 when Bruce Iglauer, inspired by Taylor's energetic performances with his band the HouseRockers (Brewer Phillips on second guitar and Ted Harvey on drums), founded Alligator Records specifically to record Taylor. Their debut album, "Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers" (1971), was recorded in just two nights and became the first release for the now-legendary blues label. Taylor's subsequent albums, including "Natural Boogie" (1974) and the posthumous "Beware of the Dog!" (1976), showcased his raucous, joyful approach to the blues and brought him national and international acclaim. He toured widely, sharing stages with blues greats like Muddy Waters, Freddie King, and Big Mama Thornton.

Taylor died of lung cancer in 1975, but his legacy endures. He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1984, and his influence on slide guitarists and blues musicians remains profound. His music, characterized by its "wild, raucous, crazy" energy, continues to inspire artists and fans alike, cementing his place as a beloved icon of classic Chicago blues.

Fun Facts

  • Hound Dog Taylor was born with six fingers on each hand, a condition known as polydactyly.
  • His debut album was the very first release on Alligator Records, which went on to become a major blues label.
  • Taylor's guitar of choice was a cheap Japanese Teisco/Kawai, and in 2017, Eastwood Guitars released a model in his honor.
  • He often played with his guitar wildly out of tune, yet his performances were celebrated for their energy and authenticity.

Associated Acts

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Elmore James - Taylor was heavily influenced by Elmore James, the pioneering slide guitarist, whose energetic style shaped Taylor's own approach. (General stylistic influence, particularly in slide guitar technique) [1940s-1950s]

Key Collaborators

  • Brewer Phillips - Second guitarist in the HouseRockers, Taylor's main band. (Alligator albums: Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, Natural Boogie, Beware of the Dog!) [1970-1975]
  • Ted Harvey - Drummer in the HouseRockers. (Alligator albums: Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers, Natural Boogie, Beware of the Dog!) [1970-1975]
  • Bruce Iglauer - Founder of Alligator Records, manager, and producer for Taylor. (Alligator Records releases, management and booking) [1971-1975]

Artists Influenced

  • George Thorogood - Inspired by Taylor's raw slide guitar style and energy; Thorogood dedicated performances and recordings to Taylor. (Live (dedication), The Hard Stuff (cover of "Give Me Back My Wig")) [1970s-present]
  • Sonny Landreth - Cited Taylor as a major influence on his slide guitar playing. (General stylistic influence) [1980s-present]
  • Gov't Mule - Covered Taylor's songs and cited his influence. (Alligator Records tribute album contributions) [1990s-present]
  • Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials - Directly inspired by Taylor's sound and performance style. (Alligator Records tribute album contributions) [1980s-present]

Connection Network

Current Artist
Collaborators
Influenced
Mentors
Has Page
No Page

Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Genuine Houserocking Music 1982-01-15 Album
Natural Boogie (Remastered) 1974-06-03 Album
Beware of the Dog! (Live) 1976-03-01 Album
Essential Classics, Vol. 772: Hound Dog Taylor 2025-03-01 Album
Release The Hound 2004-04-27 Album
Live at Joe's Place 1990 Album
Hound Dog Taylor - Give Me Back My Wig 2013-10-01 Album
Pure Evil 2011-01-07 Album
Have Some Fun 2010-08-26 Album
Freddie's Blues 2010-08-26 Album
J. J. Milteau presente: Bon Temps Rouler 2008-11-10 Album
Release The Hound 2004 Album
Deluxe Edition 1999 Album
Genuine Houserocking Music 1982 Album
Beware of the Dog! 1976 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Ain't Got Nobody (Genuine Houserocking Music)
  2. Give Me Back My Wig - Remastered (Alligator Records 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin' Music)
  3. Let's Get Funky - Live (Beware of the Dog! (Live))
  4. Roll Your Moneymaker
  5. Phillips Goes Bananas (Genuine Houserocking Music)
  6. Sadie - Remastered (Natural Boogie (Remastered))
  7. Take Five - Remastered (Natural Boogie (Remastered))
  8. Sitting Home Alone (The Chess Story 1965-1975)
  9. Sitting At Home Alone - Remastered (Natural Boogie (Remastered))
  10. Crossroads (Genuine Houserocking Music)

Tags: #blues, #chicago-blues, #classic-pop-and-rock

References

  1. alligator.com
  2. bluesmatters.com
  3. keno.org

Heard on WWOZ

hound dog taylor has been played 9 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Dec 1, 202515:22IT'S ALRIGHTfrom BEWARE OF THE DOGBlues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe
Nov 26, 202514:08SADIEfrom natural boogieSittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D
Nov 19, 202514:02dont blame mefrom the best ofSittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D
Nov 12, 202514:05dont blame mefrom the best ofSittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D
Nov 5, 202514:03dont blame mefrom the best ofSittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D
Nov 3, 202515:11wild about you babyfrom RELEASE THE HOUNDBlues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe
Oct 28, 202513:58dont blame mefrom the best ofNew Orleans Music Showw/ Cole Williams
Oct 21, 202514:01give me back my wigfrom hound dog taylor and the houserockersSoul Serenadew/ Marc Stone
Sep 15, 202520:17the sun is shiningBlues and R&Bw/ Gentilly Jr.