Page 35 - BiTS_06_JUNE_2025_Neat

exhausting, and caused a deterioration in his health, although he still managed a few
gigs, including some with Junior Wells, in November and December. After that he was

once again hospitalised, and subsequently died on April 21st 1970, of complications
due to tuberculosis, at the age of 41 (or possibly 40!). He is buried in the Restvale

Cemetery, at Alsip, Cook County, Illinois, where there is a small (and somewhat
overgrown (Ed)) commemorative plaque.

As a guitar player he

was a fluid and highly
innovative player, who,

in his later years, used
the Wah Wah pedal to

great effect, and often
played a double necked

Gibson. By using a short
slide he was able to

switch easily between
slide and fretted

playing.

His music still sounds
fresh and exciting, and

luckily there are some
excellent compilations available, including “Rockin’ Wild 1952-1963” (Soul Jam

Records) and “The Electrifying Blues Guitar of Earl Hooker 1953-1962” (Jasmine),
which feature between them a total of 60 tracks, of which only 9 are duplicates. One

or both are well worth hearing, and highly recommended - by me!