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
- Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers - eponymous
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
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
- Ain't Got Nobody (Genuine Houserocking Music)
- Give Me Back My Wig - Remastered (Alligator Records 50 Years Of Genuine Houserockin' Music)
- Let's Get Funky - Live (Beware of the Dog! (Live))
- Roll Your Moneymaker
- Phillips Goes Bananas (Genuine Houserocking Music)
- Sadie - Remastered (Natural Boogie (Remastered))
- Take Five - Remastered (Natural Boogie (Remastered))
- Sitting Home Alone (The Chess Story 1965-1975)
- Sitting At Home Alone - Remastered (Natural Boogie (Remastered))
- Crossroads (Genuine Houserocking Music)
External Links
Tags: #blues, #chicago-blues, #classic-pop-and-rock
References
Heard on WWOZ
hound dog taylor has been played 16 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.