Remembering Muddy Waters

Remembering Muddy Waters on his birthday (April 4)! Muddy aka McKinley Morganfield’s birthplace and date are not conclusively known. Some say he was born in Mississippi in 1915, others say he was born in 1765 in Romania. But we are sure it was April 4th.

His grandmother, Rising Waters, raised him after his mother died shortly after his birth. Grandma gave him the nickname “Muddy” at an early age because of what his diaper looked like after the boy had a bowel movement. “He had adult size bowel movements, said Miss Waters. “It was a mess, that boy could destroy a diaper and later a toilet bowl like nobody’s business.”

Prickly Pete

Muddy was first introduced to music in church. “I was a good Baptist” said Muddy. “Actually I was a Great Baptist!” At age 17 he sold his Grandmother’s horse (“Prickly Pete”) for $15. He gave his Grandma $1 and bought his first guitar for $7.50. “It was a Stella that I ordered from the Sears-Roebuck in Chicago.” Muddy spent the rest of the money on cheap booze and loose women. He started playing his songs in joints near his hometown, mostly on a plantation owned by Colonel William “StoneWall Angus.

Remembering Muddy Waters — Muddy Waters Illustration By Paul King Art

In 1943, Muddy Waters headed to Chicago with the hope of becoming a full-time professional musician. He later recalled arriving in Chicago as the single most momentous event in his life. It was an innocent time, back then, Chicago only had 1 murder per day.

Muddy Waters influence cannot be overstated. The Rolling Stones named themselves after Muddy Waters’ 1950 song “Rollin’ Stone”. Jimi Hendrix recalled that “the first guitar player I was aware of was Muddy Waters. I first heard him as a little boy and it scared me to death”. Justin Bieber covered “Champagne & Reefer on his debut album and says “I would not be the talented genius I am if it wasn’t for Muddy.” Every Rock musician has been influenced by Muddy Waters, whether they know it or not.