John Lee Hooker discography

Last updated

John Lee Hooker discography
John Lee Hooker two.jpg
John Lee Hooker performing with his guitar on stage while smiling, taken in 1978.
Studio albums27
Soundtrack albums1
Live albums10
Compilation albums26+

John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer and guitarist who recorded from 1948 to 2001. His discography includes recordings issued by various record companies in different formats.

Contents

Hooker's music blended elements of Delta blues, talking blues and early North Mississippi hill country blues. His early recordings, like "Boogie Chillen'" (1948) and "Crawling King Snake" (1949), featured Hooker alone on electric guitar.

In February 2022, it was announced that BMG had acquired Hooker's music interests from his estate. The agreement included his entire publishing catalog in addition to his recorded and performance royalty income, as well as a selection of Hooker's recorded catalog spanning Alone, Vol. 1 (1980) through to Black Night Is Falling (2019). [1]

Studio albums

List of albums with year released, title, label, year(s) recorded, and reference(s)
  • Year
  • released
Title
  • Label
  • (Cat. no.)
  • Year(s)
  • recorded
Ref(s)
1960 The Country Blues of John Lee Hooker [a] Riverside (12-838)1959 [2]
Travelin' Vee-Jay (1023)1960 [3]
That's My Story Riverside (12-321)1960 [4]
1961 The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker Vee-Jay (1033)1960–1961 [5]
1962 Burnin' Vee-Jay (1043)1961 [6]
1963 The Big Soul of John Lee Hooker Vee-Jay (1058)1962 [7]
1964 John Lee Hooker on Campus Vee-Jay (1066)1963 [8]
1965 ...And Seven Nights Verve Folkways (3003)1965 [9]
1966 It Serve You Right to Suffer Impulse! (A-9103)1965 [10]
The Real Folk Blues Chess (1508)1966 [11]
1967 Urban Blues BluesWay (6012)1967 [12]
1969 Simply the Truth BluesWay (6023)1968 [13]
If You Miss 'Im...I Got 'Im BluesWay (6038)1969 [14]
Get Back Home Black & Blue (333.023)1969 [15]
1971 I Feel Good! Carson (3662)1969 [16]
Hooker 'n Heat Liberty (35002)1970 [17]
Endless Boogie ABC (720)1970 [18]
1972 Never Get Out of These Blues Alive ABC (736)1971 [19]
1973 Born in Mississippi, Raised Up in Tennessee ABC (768)1971 [20]
1974 Free Beer and Chicken ABC (838)1974 [21]
1986 Jealous Pausa (7197)1982 [22]
1989 The Healer Chameleon (74808)1987–1989 [23]
1991 Mr. Lucky Pointblank (91724-2)1990–1991 [24]
1992 Boom Boom Pointblank (077778655329)1987–1992 [25]
1995 Chill Out Pointblank (724384010720)1986–1995 [26]
1997 Don't Look Back Pointblank (724384277123)1996 [27]
2003Face to FaceEagle Records (ER 20023-2)1991–2001 [28]

Live albums

List of albums with year released, title, label, year(s) recorded, and reference(s)
  • Year
  • released
Title
  • Label
  • (Cat. no.)
  • Year(s)
  • recorded
Ref(s)
1963 Live at Sugar Hill Galaxy (8205)1962 [29]
1964 Concert at Newport Vee-Jay (1078)1963 [30]
1966 Live at Cafe Au Go Go BluesWay (6002)1966 [31]
1972 Live at Soledad Prison ABC (761)1972 [32]
1973 Kabuki Wuki BluesWay (6052)1971 [33]
1978 The Cream Tomato (2-7009)1977 [34]
1979Live In 1978Lunar #2 Recordings (L2S-200)1978
1980Alone, Vol. 1Labor Records (4)1976
1994The Rising Sun Collection [b] Just A Memory (RSC 0001)1977
2020Live At Montreux 1983 & 1990Eagle Records (0895534)1983, 1990

Selected compilations

List of albums with year released, title, label, year(s) recorded, and reference(s)
  • Year
  • released
Title
  • Label
  • (Cat. no.)
  • Year(s)
  • recorded
Ref(s)
1959 House of the Blues Chess (1438)1951–1954 [35]
I'm John Lee Hooker Vee-Jay (1007)1955–1959 [36]
1960The Blues Crown (5157)1948–1952 [37]
John Lee Hooker Sings Blues King (727)1949–1950 [38]
1961 John Lee Hooker Plays & Sings the Blues Chess (1454)1951–1952 [39]
Sings the BluesCrown (5232)1948–1954 [40]
1962 Folk Blues Crown (5295)1951–1954 [41]
The Best of John Lee HookerVee-Jay (1049)1956–1961 [42]
1963 Don't Turn Me from Your Door Atco (33-151)1953, 1961 [43]
1964Is He The World's Greatest Blues Singer?Vee-Jay (8502)1955–1963
The Great John Lee HookerCrown (5353)1948–1954 [44]
Burning Hell Riverside (008)1959 [45]
Original Folk Blues Kent (5025)1948–1954 [46]
1969 That's Where It's At! Stax (2013)1961 [47]
1971 Goin' Down Highway 51 Specialty (2127)1948–1951 [48]
1980 Sittin' Here Thinkin' Muse (5205)1961 [49]
1989Boogie ChillenOfficial (86 029)1948–1954 [50]
1990 The Hot Spot: Original Soundtrack Antilles (422-846 813–2)1990 [51]
1991 More Real Folk Blues: The Missing Album Chess/MCA (9329)1966 [52]
The Ultimate Collection Rhino (R2 70572)1948–1990 [53]
1993Everybody's BluesSpecialty (7035-2)1950–1954 [54]
1994The Legendary Modern Recordings Ace (1438)1948–1954 [55]
The Early YearsTomato (9906/7-2)1955–1964 [56]
1995Alternative Boogie: Early Studio Recordings Capitol (724383391226)1948–1952 [57]
1998The Best Of Friends [c] Pointblank (8 46424 2)1987–1998
2017Whiskey & WimmenVee-Jay (0888072020580)1954–1964 [58]
2025The Standard School Broadcast RecordingsBMG (964111892)1973

Albums in the charts

List of charting albums with year, title, label, and peak chart positions
  • Year
  • released
Title
  • Peak chart
  • positions
1967 House of the Blues —NC——————34
1971 Hooker 'n Heat 73—–—————
Endless Boogie 126———————
1972 Never Get Out of These Blues Alive 130———————
1989 The Healer 62—179638153
1991 Mr. Lucky 101251327916103
1992Boom Boom——358437412015
1995 Chill Out 136326277838181323
1997 Don't Look Back 16334831—18353963
1998The Best of Friends—4—3145155444—
2002Winning Combinations: John Lee Hooker & Muddy Waters—6———————
2003Face to Face—3———————
2007Hooker (box set)—14———————
2015Two Sides of John Lee Hooker—12———————
2018Early Recordings: Detroit and Beyond—5———————
2020Live at Montreux: 1983 & 1990—9———————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Early singles (1948–1955)

In the 1950s, Hooker often recorded variations of his songs for different studios for an up-front fee. To evade his recording contract with Modern Records, he used various pseudonyms, including John Lee Booker (for Chess Records and Chance Records in 1951–1952), Johnny Lee (for De Luxe Records in 1953–1954), John Lee, John Lee Cooker, [68] Texas Slim, Delta John, Birmingham Sam and his Magic Guitar, Johnny Williams, and the Boogie Man. [69]

Release year-monthTitleLabelAlbum
1948-11"Sally May" b/w "Boogie Chillen'"ModernA-side: The Great John Lee Hooker (1963)
B-side: The Blues (1960)
1948-12"Black Man Blues" b/w "Stomp Boogie"KingN/A
1949-xx"Grievin' Blues" b/w "Wayne County Ramblin' Blues"Danceland
1949-xx"Miss Rosie Mae" b/w "Highway Blues"Staff
1949-02"Helpless Blues" b/w "Goin' Mad Blues"Regent
1949-03"Low Down-Midnite Boogie" b/w "Landing Blues"Savoy
1949-03"Hobo Blues" b/w "Hoogie Boogie"ModernThe Blues (1960)
1949-04"Do the Boogie" b/w "Morning Blues"AcornN/A
1949-07"Whistlin' and Moanin' Blues" b/w "Weeping Willow Boogie"ModernThe Blues (1960)
1949-08"Devil's Jump" b/w "The Numbers"KingSings Blues (1960)
1949-10"Crawlin' King Snake" b/w "Drifting from Door to Door"ModernA-side: The Blues (1960)
B-side: Sings The Blues (1961)
1949-10"I'm Gonna Kill that Woman" b/w "Nightmare Blues"KingSings Blues (1960)
1949-11"Burnin' Hell" b/w "Miss Sadie Mae"SensationN/A
1949-12"Canal Street Blues" b/w "Huckle Up Baby"Sensation
1950-01"Playin' the Races" b/w "Howlin' Wolf"ModernA-side: N/A
B-side: The Great John Lee Hooker (1963)
1950-01"Heart Trouble Blues" b/w "Slim's Stomp"KingSings Blues (1960)
1950-02"Wandering Blues" b/w "Don't Go Baby"KingSings Blues (1960)
1950-03"Let Your Daddy Ride" b/w "Goin' on Highway #51"SensationN/A
1950-04"No Friend Around" b/w "Wednesday Evening"ModernA-side: N/A
B-side: Sings The Blues (1961)
1950-05"Late Last Night" b/w "Don't You Remember Me"KingSings Blues (1960)
1950-05"My Baby's Got Something" b/w "Decoration Day Blues"SensationN/A
1950-07"Thinking Blues" b/w "Moaning Blues"KingSings Blues (1960)
1950-07"Miss Eloise" b/w "Boogie Chillen' #2"SensationN/A
1950-08"Give Me Your Phone Number" b/w "Roll 'n' Roll"Modern
1950-10"Never Satisfied" b/w "Notoriety Woman"Regal
1950-11"Wandering Blues" b/w "House Rent Boogie"Staff
1950-12"Let Your Daddy Ride" b/w "One More Time"ModernA-side: Sings The Blues (1961)
B-side: The Great John Lee Hooker (1963)
1950-12"Boogie Now" b/w "Mad Man Blues"GonePlays & Sings The Blues (1961)
1951-xx"Prison Bound" b/w "Bumble Bee Blues"StaffN/A
1951-03"John L's House Rent Boogie" b/w "Queen Bee"ModernThe Blues (1960)
1951-03"Questionnaire Blues" b/w "Real Gone Gal"GothamN/A
1951-05"Tease Me Baby" b/w "Women in My Life"ModernA-side: The Great John Lee Hooker (1963)
B-side: N/A
1951-08"Leave My Wife Alone" b/w "Ramblin' by Myself"ChessHouse Of The Blues (1959)
1951-09"I'm in the Mood" b/w "How Can You Do It"ModernA-side: The Blues (1960)
B-side: The Great John Lee Hooker (1963)
1951-10"Louise" b/w "Ground Hog Blues"ChessHouse Of The Blues (1959)
1951-11"Miss Lorraine" b/w "Talkin' Boogie"ChanceN/A
1951-12"Turn Over a New Leaf (1952 Blues)" b/w "Anybody Seen My Baby"ModernA-side: Sings The Blues (1961)
B-side: The Blues (1960)
1952-xx"Little Boy Blue" b/w "My Daddy Was a Jockey"GothamN/A
1952-01"I Love to Boogie" b/w "Graveyard Blues"Chance
1952-03"Mean Old Train" b/w "Catfish"Gotham
1952-03"Cold Chills All Over Me" b/w "Rock Me Mama"ModernA-side: The Blues (1960)
B-side: Sings The Blues (1961)
1952-04"High Priced Woman" b/w "Union Station Blues"ChessHouse Of The Blues (1959)
1952-05"Walkin' the Boogie" b/w "Sugar Mama"Chess
1952-06"609 Boogie" b/w "Road Trouble"ChanceN/A
1952-07"It Hurts Me So" b/w "I Got Eyes for You"ModernThe Great John Lee Hooker (1963)
1952-10"Bluebird Blues" b/w "Key to the Highway"ModernA-side: N/A
B-side: The Great John Lee Hooker (1963)
1953-xx"No More Doggin'" b/w "Boogie Rambler"JVBN/A
1953-01"Rock House Boogie" b/w "It's Been a Long Time Baby"ModernA-side: Folk Blues (1962)
B-side: N/A
1953-05"It's Stormin' and Rainin'" b/w "Ride 'Till I Die"ModernN/A
1953-07"Love Money Can't Buy" b/w "Please Take Me Back"Modern
1953-09"Blue Monday" b/w "Lovin' Guitar Man"DeLuxeA-side: N/A
B-side: Don't Turn Me From Your Door (1963)
1953-10"Too Much Boogie" b/w "Need Somebody"ModernN/A
1953-10"I Came to See You Baby" b/w "I'm a Boogie Man"DeLuxe
1954-01"Pouring Down Rain" b/w "Stuttering Blues"DeLuxeA-side: N/A
B-side: Don't Turn Me From Your Door (1963)
1954-02"Down Child" b/w "Gotta Boogie"ModernFolk Blues (1962)
1954-03"It's My Own Fault" b/w "Women and Money"ChessHouse Of The Blues (1959)
1954-03"My Baby Don't Love Me" b/w "Real, Real Gone"DeLuxeDon't Turn Me From Your Door (1963)
1954-05"I Wonder Little Darling" b/w "Jump Me (One More Time)"ModernN/A
1954-07"I Tried Hard" b/w "Let's Talk it Over"ModernA-side: N/A
B-side: Folk Blues (1962)
1954-08"Everybody's Blues" b/w "I'm Mad"SpecialtyN/A
1954-10"Cool Little Car" b/w "Bad Boy"ModernA-side: N/A
B-side: Folk Blues (1962)
1955-01"Half a Stranger" b/w "Shake, Holler and Run"ModernFolk Blues (1962)
1955-05"You Receive Me" b/w "Taxi Driver"ModernN/A
1955-08"Hug and Squeeze" b/w "The Syndicator"ModernSings The Blues (1961)
1955-10"Lookin' for a Woman" b/w "I'm Ready"ModernA-side: Folk Blues (1962)
B-side: N/A

Singles in the charts

List of charting singles with year, title, and peak chart positions
YearTitlePeak chart positions
1948"Boogie Chillen'"1—————
1949"Hobo Blues"5—————
"Hoogie Boogie"9—————
"Crawlin' King Snake"6—————
1950"Huckle Up, Baby"15—————
1951"I'm in the Mood"130————
1958"I Love You Honey"29—————
1960"No Shoes"21—————
1962"Boom Boom"1660————
1964"Dimples"——23———
1990"The Healer" (with Carlos Santana)———91223
"I'm in the Mood" (with Bonnie Raitt)——1422——
1992"Boom Boom"——16———
1993"Boogie at Russian Hill"——53———
1995"Chill Out (Things Gonna Change)"——45———
1996"Baby Lee" (with Robert Cray, from Lee TV commercial)——65———
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Riverside initially issued the album as The Folk Blues of John Lee Hooker on back cover and label.
  2. ↑ Later released as Black Night Is Falling on Justin Time Records, in 2019.
  3. ↑ Includes three new recordings.

References

  1. ↑ Stassen, Murray (February 16, 2022). "BMG Acquires Music Interests of Blues Icon John Lee Hooker". Music Business Worldwide . Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  2. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 116; The Country Blues of John Lee Hooker (CD reissue notes). Berkeley, California: Original Blues Classics/Riverside Records. 1991. Back cover. OBCCD-542-2/RLP-12-838.
  3. ↑ Travelin' (Album notes). Vee-Jay Records. 1960. Back cover. VJLP 1023.; Murray 2002 , p. 237
  4. ↑ Koda, Cub . John Lee Hooker: That's My Story – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  5. ↑ Campbell, Al. John Lee Hooker: The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 14, 2019.; The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker (Album notes). Vee-Jay Records. 1961. Back cover. LP 1023.
  6. ↑ Campbell, Al. John Lee Hooker: Burnin – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 14, 2019.; Murray 2002 , pp. 238–239
  7. ↑ Eder, Bruce. The Big Soul of John Lee Hooker – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 14, 2019.; Murray 2002 , p. 241
  8. ↑ Campbell, Al. John Lee Hooker: On Campus – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 14, 2019.; Murray 2002 , pp. 250–251
  9. ↑ ...And Seven Nights (Album notes). Verve Forecast Records. 1965. Back cover. FT-3003.
  10. ↑ Koda, Cub. John Lee Hooker: It Serves You Right to Suffer – Review at AllMusic
  11. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 116
  12. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , pp. 116–117; Urban Blues (CD reissue notes). Universal City, California: MCA Records. 1993. CD booklet. MCAD-10760.
  13. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 117; Murray 2002 , p. 328
  14. ↑ John Lee Hooker: If You Miss 'Im...I Got 'Im – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  15. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 117
  16. ↑ Eder, Bruce. "John Lee Hooker: I Feel Good! – Review". AllMusic . Retrieved August 14, 2019.; Leadbitter & Slaven 1987 , p. 594
  17. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 117
  18. ↑ Koda, Cub. "John Lee Hooker: Endless Boogie – Review". AllMusic . Retrieved November 29, 2014.; Endless Boogie (Album notes). New York City: ABC Records. 1971. Inside cover. ABCD-720.
  19. ↑ Allan, Mark. John Lee Hooker: Never Get Out of These Blues Alive – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved April 8, 2023.; Never Get Out of These Blues Alive (Album notes). ABC Records. 1972. Back cover. ABCX 736.
  20. ↑ Born in Mississippi, Raised Up in Tennessee (Album notes). ABC Records. 1973. Back cover.
  21. ↑ Chadbourne, Eugene. John Lee Hooker: Free Bee and Chicken – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 14, 2019.; Free Beer and Chicken (Album notes). ABC Records. 1974. Slip cover. ABCD-838.
  22. ↑ Owens, Thom. John Lee Hooker: Jealous – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  23. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 117
  24. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 117
  25. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 117
  26. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 118
  27. ↑ Slawecki, Chris. "John Lee Hooker: Don't Look Back – Review". AllMusic . Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  28. ↑ Campbell, Al. "John Lee Hooker: Face to Face – Review". AllMusic . Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  29. ↑ Live at Sugar Hill (Album notes). Galaxy Records. 1963. Back cover. 8205.
  30. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 116
  31. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 116
  32. ↑ Thornton, Stuart (April 3, 2014). "Unearthing John Lee Hooker Live at Soledad Prison". Monterey County Weekly . Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  33. ↑ Allen, Mark. John Lee Hooker: Kabuki Wuki – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 14, 2019.; Kabuki Wuki (Album notes). BluesWay Records. 1973. Back cover. BLS 6052.
  34. ↑ Henderson, Alex. John Lee Hooker: The Cream – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  35. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 116
  36. ↑ Planer, Lindsay. "I'm John Lee Hooker –Review". AllMusic . Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  37. ↑ Thompson 2019, p. 309.
  38. ↑ John Lee Hooker: John Lee Hooker Sings Blues – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  39. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 116
  40. ↑ Wilgus, D. K. “From the Record Review Editor.” The Journal of American Folklore 76, no. 299 (1963): 87–90. https://doi.org/10.2307/538091.
  41. ↑ Fink, Matt. John Lee Hooker: Folk Blues – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  42. ↑ The Best of John Lee Hooker (Album notes). Chicago: Vee-Jay Records. 1962. Back cover. VJLP 1049.
  43. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 116
  44. ↑ The Great John Lee Hooker (Reissue CD notes). Tokyo, Japan: P-Vine Records. 1993. Back cover. R-300205.
  45. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 118
  46. ↑ Leggett, Steve. John Lee Hooker: Original Folk Blues –Review at AllMusic . Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  47. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 117; Murray 2002 , p. 237
  48. ↑ Roundup Newsletter. John Lee Hooker: Goin' Down Highway 51 – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 31, 2019.; Goin' Down Highway 51 (Album notes). Hollywood, California: Specialty Records. 1971. Back cover. SPS-2127.
  49. ↑ Schulte, Tom. John Lee Hooker: Sittin' Here Thinkin – Review at AllMusic . Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  50. ↑ Boogie Chillen (Album notes). Copenhagen, Denmark: Official Records. 1989. CD booklet. 86 029.
  51. ↑ Chadbourne, Eugene. "The Hot Spot[Original Soundtrack] – Review". AllMusic . Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  52. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 117
  53. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "John Lee Hooker: The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990) – Review". AllMusic . Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  54. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 116
  55. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 118
  56. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 118
  57. ↑ AllMusic 1996 , p. 118
  58. ↑ Whiskey & Wimmen (Album notes). Beverly Hills, California: Vee-Jay. 2017. CD booklet. 88072 02058.
  59. ↑ "John Lee Hooker: Chart history – Billboard 200". Billboard . Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  60. ↑ "John Lee Hooker: Chart history – Blues Albums". Billboard . Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  61. ↑ "John Lee Hooker in der Österreichschen Hitparade –Alben" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  62. ↑ "Suchen nach "John Lee Hooker"" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  63. ↑ "John Lee Hooker in Dutch Charts: Albums" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  64. ↑ "John Lee Hooker in New Zealand Charts: Albums". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  65. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan –John Lee Hooker". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  66. ↑ "John Lee Hooker –Suchergebnisse in der Schweizer Hitparade" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  67. ↑ "John Lee Hooker –Albums". Official Charts . Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  68. ↑ Liner notes. Alternative Boogie: Early Studio Recordings, 1948–1952.
  69. ↑ Leadbitter & Slaven 1987, pp. 579–95.
  70. 1 2 Whitburn 1988, p. 194.
  71. ↑ "John Lee Hooker –Singles". Official Charts . Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  72. ↑ "Dutch Chart: John Lee Hooker –Nummer" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  73. ↑ "UltraTop: John Lee Hooker –Nummer (Flemish chart)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  74. ↑ "New Zealand Charts: John Lee Hooker –Song". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 17, 2023.

Bibliography

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