Long John Hunter

John Thurman Hunter Jr. (July 13, 1931 – January 4, 2016), known by the stage name Long John Hunter, was an American Texas blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.[2] He released seven albums in his own name, and in his later years found critical acknowledgement outside of his homeland.[1] Hunter's best known tracks are "El Paso Rock" and "Alligators Around My Door", the latter of which Hunter co-wrote with Bruce Iglauer.[4]

Long John Hunter
Birth nameJohn Thurman Hunter Jr.[1]
Born(1931-07-13)July 13, 1931
Ringgold, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJanuary 4, 2016(2016-01-04) (aged 84)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
GenresTexas blues, electric blues[2]
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1953–2011[3]
LabelsAlligator, various

Life and career

Hunter was born in Ringgold, Louisiana.[1][5] He was raised on a farm in Magnolia, Arkansas, but by his early twenties was working in a box factory in Beaumont, Texas. He bought his first guitar after attending a B. B. King concert. He adopted the stage name Long John Hunter in 1953.[1] His first single, "She Used to Be My Woman" backed with "Crazy Girl" was released by Duke Records in 1953. By 1957, he had relocated to El Paso, Texas, and found employment playing at the Lobby Club in Juárez, Mexico. He remained there for over thirteen years, releasing several singles in the early 1960s on local record labels. These tracks included one of his most notable numbers, "El Paso Rock".[1][2][5]

His album Texas Border Town Blues was released in 1988 and the album Ride with Me in 1992. These were followed by two more albums for Alligator Records, Border Town Legend (1996) and Swinging from the Rafters (1997). In 1999, Hunter teamed up with Lonnie Brooks and Phillip Walker to release Lone Star Shootout.[4]

Hunter appeared at the Long Beach Blues Festival in 1996 and 2000. His last album was Looking for a Party (2009).[2][5]

He died on January 4, 2016, at his home in Phoenix, Arizona.[3]

Discography
YearTitleRecord label
1988Texas Border Town BluesDouble Trouble
1992Ride with MeAlligator
1994Smooth MagicDouble Trouble
1996Border Town LegendAlligator
1997Swinging from the RaftersAlligator
1999Ooh Wee Pretty Baby!Norton
1999Lone Star ShootoutAlligator
2003One Foot in TexasDoc Blues
2009Looking for a PartyBlues Express

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See also

References
  1. Govenar, Alan B. (2008). Texas Blues: The Rise of a Contemporary Sound. College Station: Texas A&M University Press. pp. 380–5. ISBN 978-1-58544-605-6.
  2. Dahl, Bill. "Long John Hunter; Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  3. "El Paso Music Legend Long John Hunter Dies". El Paso Times, January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  4. "Lonnie Brooks, Lone Star Shootout: Credits". AllMusic.com. 1999-05-25. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  5. "Long John Hunter". Centrohd.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  6. "Long John Hunter: Discography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
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