Hound Dog Taylor is an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has recorded more than 30 albums in his career.
Hound Dog Taylor was a blues musician who died in 1959. He is best known for his hit song Hound Dog. Read more in detail here: hound dog taylor death.
If it hadn’t been for Hound Dog Taylor’s crashing, slicing slide guitar shenanigans, Alligator Records, Chicago’s premier current blues label, may not have existed at all. When Bruce Iglauer, a Delmark Records employee at the time, couldn’t persuade his employer, Bob Koester, of Taylor’s potential, he took things into his own hands. Alligator was founded in 1971 with the sole aim of releasing Hound Dog’s first album. We’re all aware of what happened after that.
Taylor, a Mississippi native named after President Theodore Roosevelt, began playing the guitar when he was 20 years old. Before moving to Chicago in 1942, he made a few appearances on Sonny Boy Williamson’s legendary KFFA King Biscuit Time radio broadcasts from Helena, Arkansas. However, it would be another 15 years until Taylor made blues his full-time profession. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Taylor was a popular figure on Chicago’s South and West sides. It’s widely assumed that a large part of Freddy King’s famous “Hide Away” was inspired by a riff he heard Taylor playing on the bandstand.
Only a 1960 single for Cadillac Baby’s Bea & Baby imprint (“Baby Is Coming Home”https://www.allmusic.com/”Take Five”), a 1962 45 for Carl Jones’ Firma Records (“Christine”https://www.allmusic.com/”Alley Music”), and a 1967 Checker effort (“Watch Out”https://www.allmusic.com/”Down Home”) preceded Taylor’s output for Iglauer.
The HouseRockers, Taylor’s persistently loud band, comprised of just two guys, but their combined noise sounded like many more. Second guitarist Brewer Phillips, who often provided buzzing pseudo-basslines on his guitar, had established such a bond with Taylor that their guitars entwined with ESP-like power, while drummer Ted Harvey kept things moving at a fast speed.
Taylor’s first Alligator record in 1973, Natural Boogie, included the mesmerizing “Sadie” and a pounding “Roll Your Moneymaker,” while their self-titled debut album from 1971 featured the usually boisterous “Give Me Back My Wig.” Taylor didn’t survive to witness the publication of Beware of the Dog, a live set that brilliantly captured the constantly smiling guitarist’s good-time attitude, and he died of cancer soon before it reached the market.
Alligator’s “Genuine Houserocking Music” slogan, which Iglauer’s company has maintained for four decades and counting, was clearly inspired by Hound Dog Taylor. Hound Dog Taylor wasn’t the most skilled slide guitarist, but he could certainly rock any venue where he performed.
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Hound Dog Taylor was born on January 29, 1936 and passed away on November 16, 2003.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How did Hound Dog Taylor die?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”
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Frequently Asked Questions
When did Hound Dog Taylor die?
Hound Dog Taylor was born on January 29, 1936 and passed away on November 16, 2003.
How did Hound Dog Taylor die?
Hound Dog Taylor died on March 18, 1959.
Is Hound Dog Taylor still alive?
Yes, he is.
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