Robert Lockwood Jr was born in 1915 in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas. In 1941, Lockwood made his debut backing Doctor Clayton and on his first solo sides for the Bluebird label. In 1942 he teamed up with Sonny Boy Williamson II and became a performer on KFFA's “King Biscuit Time”.
Lockwood was the first electric guitarist that most Mississippi bluesmen ever saw or heard.
His style was a mix of Robert Johnson, Charlie Christian, & Eddie Durham. He was a mentor to Joe Willie Wilkins, Muddy Waters, and a young Riley (B.B.) King.
It was Lockwood's idea to bring in an eight-piece band to back up King.
B.B. King commented that after Lockwood left his band it took him “twenty years to find another guitarist he could work with” as well as he did with Lockwood.
In the 1950's, he recorded with Bo Diddley, Eddie Boyd, Freddy King, Jimmy Rogers, John Brim, Johnny Shines, Leroy Foster, Little Walter, the Moonglows, Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Roosevelt Sykes, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Sunnyland Slim, Willie Dixon, Willie Mabon, and many others.
Lockwood also performed with Junior Wells, Homesick James, Yank Rachell, Henry Townsend, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, and many more.
His chordal approach elevates blues rhythm playing to a whole new level, making use of counterpoint and sophisticated, jazzy harmony...listen up, aspiring blues players.
It would be safe to say that Eric "Pruneface" Clapton never gave so much as a cursory listen to Robert Lockwood Jr's recordings.
Robert Lockwood is the undisputable king of blues rhythm guitar.
Oh yeah, he learned from his stepdad, Robert Johnson.
Listen to Robert Lockwood Jr's "Sweet Woman From Maine"