Junior Wells was an intense singer, blues harp genius and a consummate showman. He could take you up with searing licks and boogie, and then take you “down in the alley” with gut-wrenching slow blues. He could wring you dry of your emotions and leave you begging for more. He has influenced every harp player to follow him. With his ever-present hat and slick style of dress, he was truly one of the reigning legends of blues.

He was born Amos Blackmore in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 9, 1934. Junior took an early interest in music, influenced by Howlin’ Wolf, B. B. King and Big Walter. He later would inherit the stylistic legacies of both of the Sonny Boy Williamsons.

At 14, Junior began playing professionally. His first job was with Dave and Louis Myers at the C & T Lounge at 22nd and Prairie in Chicago. Two years later, he had gained enough experience to play for Muddy Waters at the Ebony Lounge. In 1952, Waters was so impressed with Junior that when Little Walter retired, Junior replaced him in Muddy’s band.

In 1953 and 1954, at the ages of 19 and 20, Junior recorded a number of classic tunes including Hoodoo Man. The first version was under the influence of Sonny Boy Williamson I. On subsequent recordings, he had the support of friends Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Otis Spann. Some of these sessions were done while Junior was AWOL from the army.

From 1958, Junior Wells worked regularly at the Chicago blues venues Pepper’s Lounge and Theresa’s, often with partner Buddy Guy who accompanied him on his debut album, Hoodoo Man Blues, in 1966.

That same year, Wells and Guy went to Europe with the American Folk Blues Festival. Tours also took them to Africa (1967-68), Australia (1973) and Japan (1975) where they thrilled audiences with their dynamic brand of Chicago blues, and became the most famous team in blues. The duo opened for the Rolling Stones in 1970, and in 1974 Wells and Guy recorded Drinkin' TNT ‘n’ Smokin’ Dynamite at the Montreux Jazz Festival with Bill Wyman, Pinetop Perkins, Dallas Taylor and Terry Taylor. Chosen as one of the 10 best albums of the year by Billboard’s editors poll, it is considered an excellent documentation of a live blues performance.

More recently, Junior toured with a strong 8-piece band, which included 3 horns, and continues to thrill with his showmanship. He recently joined Van Morrison for 6 shows on his American tour. In September of 1993, he celebrated the release of his first American studio album in many years, Better Off With The Blues, on Telarc Blues (CD-83354). His second Telarc album, Everybody’s Gettin’ Some (CD-83360), boasts a sensational lineup of guest artists including Brian Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana and The Legendary White Trash Horns.

Both Come On In This House, Wells’ third album on Telarc Blues, and Live at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Junior’s final album before his death, were nominated for Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Blues Album. In addition, Come On In This House was honored by Living Blues Readers with an award for blues album of the year in 1996. Junior Wells passed away in January 1998, at the age of 63.