Biography
Jimmy Reed, born Mathis James Reed on September 6, 1925, in Dunleith, Mississippi, was one of the most influential American blues musicians of the post-World War II era. Raised in a sharecropping family, he learned guitar and harmonica as a child, often playing with his lifelong friend and mentor Eddie Taylor. After serving in the U.S. Navy and working in Chicago’s steel mills and meatpacking plants, Reed began performing on street corners and in clubs, eventually signing with Vee-Jay Records in 1953. His breakthrough came with the hit 'You Don’t Have to Go' in 1955, launching a string of chart-topping singles that included 'Baby, What You Want Me to Do,' 'Big Boss Man,' and 'Bright Lights, Big City.' Reed’s music was characterized by its simple, repetitive lyrics, smooth vocals, and a signature 'walking blues' style, often featuring his harmonica played with a wire rack around his neck. His songs resonated with both black and white audiences, making him one of the first blues artists to achieve crossover success and helping to bridge cultural divides during the civil rights era.
Despite struggles with epilepsy and alcoholism, Reed remained a popular performer and recording artist through the 1960s and into the 1970s. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Reed’s legacy endures not only through his own recordings but also through the countless artists he inspired across genres. His music, marked by its accessibility and emotional honesty, continues to influence new generations of musicians and listeners.
Fun Facts
- Jimmy Reed was one of the first blues artists to achieve crossover success, scoring hits on both the rhythm & blues and pop charts.
- He played harmonica using a wire rack around his neck, allowing him to play guitar and harmonica simultaneously.
- Despite his struggles with memory due to health issues, Reed was pressured by Vee-Jay to record an album of blues standards, which he transformed into his own style.
- Reed’s children formed the Seeds of Reed Ministry and a publishing company, Seeds of Reed Music, continuing his legacy in gospel music.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Eddie Taylor - Childhood friend and musical mentor who taught Reed guitar and later became his longtime accompanist (Numerous recordings and live performances together) [1940s–1970s]
Key Collaborators
- Eddie Taylor - Lead guitarist and frequent collaborator, integral to Reed’s signature sound (Vee-Jay recordings, live performances) [1950s–1970s]
- Albert King - Played drums on some early Vee-Jay recordings (Single 'High and Lonesome' / 'Roll and Rhumba') [1953]
Artists Influenced
- Elvis Presley - Covered Reed’s songs and adopted elements of his style (Live performances, recordings) [1950s–1970s]
- Bob Dylan - Cited Reed as an influence and performed his songs (Live performances, recordings) [1960s–present]
- Van Morrison - Covered Reed’s songs and cited him as an influence (Live performances, recordings) [1960s–present]
- Neil Young - Covered Reed’s songs and cited him as an influence (Live performances, recordings) [1960s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rockin' With Reed | 1959-01-01 | Album |
| Mr. Luck: The Complete Vee-Jay Singles | 2017-08-04 | Album |
| Found Love | 1960-01-01 | Album |
| I'm Jimmy Reed | 1958-01-01 | Album |
| Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood - Music From The Motion Picture | 2002 | Album |
| I’m Jimmy Reed (Remastered 2024) | 2024-09-25 | Album |
| How High the Moon | 2018-07-24 | Album |
| Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall | 2004-06-19 | Album |
| The Groove of Jimmy Reed - Blues That Rolls & Rumbles - Essential Tracks from the King of Laid-Back Blues | 2025-05-16 | Album |
| What We Gonna Do? | 2025-03-19 | Album |
| Just Jimmy Reed | 1962-01-01 | Album |
| Ain't That Loving You Baby - Singles As & Bs, 1953 - 1961 | 2013-03-25 | Album |
| Jimmy | 2024-02-23 | Album |
| All Night Boogie | 2017-12-20 | Album |
| At Soul City | 1964-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Baby What You Want Me To Do
- Take Out Some Insurance (Rockin' With Reed)
- Bright Lights, Big City (Mr. Luck: The Complete Vee-Jay Singles)
- Take Out Some Insurance (Mr. Luck: The Complete Vee-Jay Singles)
- Big Boss Man (Found Love)
- Shame, Shame, Shame
- Baby, What You Want Me To Do (Found Love)
- Buy Me A Hound Dog
- High And Lonesome (Mr. Luck: The Complete Vee-Jay Singles)
- I Ain't Got You
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
jimmy reed has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 2025 | 15:16 | CHRISTMAS PRESENT BLUESfrom GREATEST CHRISTIMAS HITS | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 15:38 | Big Boss Man (High Energy Versiofrom Big Boss Man | Bluesw/ DJ Giant | |
| Dec 4, 2025 | 23:13 | Honest I Dofrom The Vee-Jay Years | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady | |
| Nov 19, 2025 | 14:08 | take out some insurancefrom rockin' with reed | Sittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D |