Biography
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John Lee Hooker, Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan - the music city of Motown Records. John Jr.'s talents are drawn from a musical bloodline that dates back to the 1800's with his grandfather Will Moore and includes his famous father, John Lee Hooker. Siblings Zakiya and Robert and cousin Archie have also added to this musical medley.
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After performing on WJBK radio in detroit at the age of 8 John knew he would become a world-class performer. By the age of 16 John Jr. was performing in venues such as the Fox Theatre in Detroit with acclaimed musicians such as Jimmy Reed. At 18 years old ABC Records released his first recording, "Live@Soledad Prison", a collaborative effort with his father.
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John Jr. is truly an international performer, touring North America from Alaska to Mississippi and everywhere in between. He has performed at such prestigious events as the Mississippi Blues Festival, Monterey Blues Festival and the Gurneyville Blues Festival.
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He has performed with world reknown recording artists such as Bo Didley, Charlie Muslewhite, Luther Tucker, Deacon Jones, Elvin Bishop, Ron Thompson, Pete Escovido and, of course, his mentor and father John Lee Hooker. John Lee Hooker, Jr. also toured nationwide with his fathers's Coast to Coast Blues band as the feature attraction.
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Listening to Hooker Jr. detail the woes of the working-class world, you can't help but recall the scalding social commentary of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Ain't that a Bitch". Watson's sound and substance have had a profound impact on Hooker Jr. So, too, has the music of Big Mama Thornton, Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Hendrix and the two Kings, BB and Albert. Junior, however is out to make his own mark among these greats. Says John Jr., "If I tried to fill my father's shoes, I'd get cramps in my feet just trying to take one step."
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John Jr. describes his sound as 2 parts R&B, 1 part jazz and "down home blues". He captivates audiences with his ad-lib creations, working the audiences, including them in sing alongs and dance and often decenidng from the stage to dance with them. Metro Active editor, Nicky Baxter, exclaimed upon witnessing one of John Jr.'s shows - "truly John L. Hooker Jr. is the real thing, and not just some tired imitation of his dad". Seeing and hearing is only the beginning, this entertainer is all about show and tell.
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