Johnny "Guitar" Watson
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Johnny "Guitar" Watson – A Real Mother For Ya
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Biography
John Watson, Jr. was born February 3, 1935 in Houston, Texas. His father John Sr. was a pianist, and taught his son the instrument. But young Watson was immediately attracted to the sound of the guitar, in particular the electric guitar as practiced by the “axe men” of Texas: T-Bone Walker and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown.
His grandfather, a preacher, was also musical. “My grandfather used to sing while he’d play guitar in church, man,” Watson reflected many years later. When Johnny was 11, his grandfather offered to give him a guitar if, and only if, the boy didn’t play any of the “devil’s music”—blues. Watson agreed, but “that was the first thing I did.” A musical prodigy, Watson played with Texas bluesmen Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland.
His parents separated in 1950, when he was 15. His mother moved to Los Angeles, and took Johnny with her.
In his new city, Watson won several local talent shows. This led to his employment, while still a teenager, with Jump blues style bands such as Chuck Higgins’ Mellotones and Amos Milburn. He worked as a vocalist, pianist, and guitarist.
He quickly made a name for himself in the African-American juke joints of the West Coast, where he was billed as “Young John Watson” until 1954. That year, he saw the Sterling Hayden film “Johnny Guitar,” and a new handle was born.
Top Tracks
Top Albums
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Ain't That A Bitch
1,918 listeners7 tracks
Released:
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The Best Of
9,052 listeners14 tracks
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A Real Mother for Ya
1,381 listeners7 tracks
Released:
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The Funk Anthology
509 listeners47 tracks
Released:
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Ekengren
Agreed. MERGE WATSON!
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Blue_Key
MERGE THE TWO WATSONS!
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kokjebalder
The eagle is back...
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Frenchytj
Miles Davis said once:It's not about to play all the notes,but to play the Good Ones! And that's exactly what Johnny"Guitar" Watson did his whole life! BOW WOW,and R.I.P. "Johnny G"!
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SoulJazzsterInc
Merge the 2 artist pages please
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paullr
The Master .. still as good as it was in the '70's .. with a little research you will find how much material he has and can be found.. His musical blending of instruments and classic guitar style .. absolutely unique. still get my daily dose including "nothing left to be desired". Try to find the album " Listen" some classics on this
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JaapStobbe
"Nothing Left To Be Desired" f-ing classic!!
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chincrusher
" A real mother for ya!" brilliant song!
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luckystoned
very very sexy
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smichaelgbg
Merge. Merge. Merge.
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mdlollypop
I saw him and his group play at Reading, Top Rank in 1975, and would love to know what happened to the band.?
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PloKoon13
:D I made it onto Mr Guitar Watson's top listeners...
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electrolutz
a real father for ya
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sergeeo
I think The Real Deal is the sexiest song EVER!!
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pbsandwich
I live by the image of Johnny Watson.
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Ryz
R.I.P
