J.B. Hutto And His Hawks

Biography

J.B. Hutto, born Joseph Benjamin Hutto on April 26, 1926, in Blackville, South Carolina, was a prominent American blues musician celebrated for his raw, energetic slide guitar style. After moving with his family to Augusta, Georgia, at age three, Hutto began his musical journey singing gospel with his siblings in a group called the Golden Crowns. The family relocated to Chicago in 1949 following his father's death, and after serving in the Korean War, Hutto immersed himself in the city's vibrant blues scene, initially playing drums and piano before settling on guitar.[3][4]

In the early 1950s, Hutto formed the Hawks, naming the band after the fierce Chicago wind. The original lineup included Eddie "Porkchop" Hines, Joe Custom, Earring George Mayweather, and Johnny Jones, and they recorded several singles for Chance Records in 1954. Disenchanted with the music industry after a violent incident in a club, Hutto took an eleven-year hiatus, working as a funeral home janitor. He returned to music in the mid-1960s with a new Hawks lineup and gained recognition through the Vanguard compilation 'Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 1' and his acclaimed 1968 Delmark album 'Hawk Squat,' featuring Sunnyland Slim, Lee Jackson, and Maurice McIntyre.[2][3][4]

Hutto's aggressive slide guitar and exuberant stage presence influenced the Chicago blues sound, and he continued performing and recording until his death from cancer in Harvey, Illinois, on June 12, 1983. His legacy endures through his recordings, his signature red Airline guitar, and his nephew Lil' Ed Williams, who carries on the tradition.

Fun Facts

• J.B. Hutto named his band the Hawks after the cold wind that blows through Chicago.
• He temporarily left the music business after a woman broke his guitar over her husband's head during a club performance.
• Hutto was known for wearing a fez on stage, adding to his flamboyant persona.
• His red Montgomery Ward Res-O-Glas Airline guitar became iconic and is now referred to as the J.B. Hutto model.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Elmore James - Major stylistic influence; Hutto was part of the wave of slide guitarists inspired by James's Chicago work. (General slide guitar technique and repertoire) [1950s onward]

Key Collaborators

• Earring George Mayweather - Harmonica player in the original Hawks lineup; recorded Chance singles together. (Chance Records singles (1954)) [1954]
• Johnny Jones - Pianist in the original Hawks lineup; contributed to Chance recordings. (Chance Records singles (1954)) [1954]
• Sunnyland Slim - Played organ and piano on 'Hawk Squat' album. (Hawk Squat (1968)) [1968]
• Lee Jackson - Guitarist on 'Hawk Squat' album. (Hawk Squat (1968)) [1968]
• Maurice McIntyre - Tenor saxophonist on 'Hawk Squat' album. (Hawk Squat (1968)) [1968]
• Herman Hassell - Bass player in the mid-1960s Hawks lineup. (Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 1 (1966)) [1960s]
• Frank Kirkland - Drummer in the mid-1960s Hawks lineup. (Chicago/The Blues/Today! Vol. 1 (1966)) [1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Lil' Ed Williams - Nephew and musical protégé; inherited Hutto's guitar and style. (Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials) [1980s-present]
• Hound Dog Taylor's House Rockers - Hutto led the band after Taylor's death, influencing their sound. (Performances with House Rockers (post-1975)) [1975-late 1970s]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. Too Much Alcohol (Chicago/The Blues/Today!)
2. Going Ahead (Chicago/The Blues/Today!)
3. That's The Truth (Chicago/The Blues/Today!)
4. Please Help (Chicago/The Blues/Today!)
5. Married Woman Blues (Chicago/The Blues/Today!)
6. That's The Truth (Best - Slide Guitar Blues)
7. Going Ahead (Great Slide Guitar Blues)
8. Too Much Alcohol (Hangover Blues)
9. Too Much Alcohol (American Blues Scene 1960s)
10. Married Woman Blues (Sadly, I´ve Got the Blues)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia