JUNIOR WELLS

Blues Hall of Fame Inductee 

Born, Amos Blackmore, December 9, 1934
Died: January 15, 1998

Amos was born in Memphis, Tennessee. His family moved to Arkansas. Inspired by local legends, Howlin’ Wolf and Junior Parker, the nine year old was out playing his music in the streets of West Memphis. As the story goes at the age of 12 he was caught stealing a $2 harmonica from a pawn shop. The judge when he heard him play paid for the harp out of his own pocket.

Amos moved to Chicago with his mother in 1946, where he won the respect of the blues fraternity. He formed a trio called the Little Chicago Devils. Later known as the Three Aces, they gained intense popularity. Their reputation reached Little Walter who was the harp player for Muddy Waters. Walter and Junior switched places—Walter started his solo career with the Aces as his back up band and Junior became Muddy Water’s harmonica player. The trade proved to be a great career move for Wells. Hoodoo Man became his first harp classic. 
Muddy Waters is credited with smoothing out the ghetto edges and honing in on the dynamic stage personality of Wells. Messin’ With the Kid, and Little By Little  his later recordings with the Chief label had his raw but smooth voice out in front.  

Off and on for three decades he worked with guitarist, Buddy Guy. Hoodoo Man Blues, one of Chicago’s finest blues albums, cemented this relationship. Wells was a frequent performer at Guy’s Chicago club. There was no stopping this dynamic talent.  Magic Slim, Lonnie Brooks, The Rolling Stones and Van Morrison all used his stylings. He even worked with rap group, Arrested Development. Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt have openly credited his influence.

Junior Wells gave the world over thirty classic blues recordings. His mode of dress became as flashy and unique as his harp work and vocals. The man commanded your attention. He was an innovator taking blues in directions that alarmed the purists. But the last recording in 1997, Come On In This House, featured acoustic and National steel players and the sweet harp sounds of Wells, reminiscent of the street sounds of the rural blues he heard as a child. This album won the W.C. Handy Blues Award for “Traditional Blues album of the Year”

Wells continued to performn until he was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 1997. He suffered a heart attack that fall which put him in a coma. He stayed in this state until his passing on January 15, 1998.

The man will never be forgotten. His induction into the Blues Hall of Fame solidified his efforts and credibility as a consummate performer, artist and writer, and gave credence to the genuine sense of humanity that he possessed.

Wells made a cameo appearance in the 1998 movie Blues Brothers 2000, which was released after his passing. 

Biographical sketch by Suzi Pangborn_____________________________________

All of the prints are printed on archival paper with archival, pigmented inks.

As I continue to work on the salvaging of my old negatives, and convert them into digital files, I will add them to this site.

Some of the prints can be printed at larger sizes, please call 517-768-1778 if you are interested in a print at a larger size.