S.O.D. "Broke and Hungry" by Junior Wells

3/16/2016     Harmonica and vocals. That's really all you need. That, and the ability to entertain. This monster of Chicago Blues had it, and worked wonders with it.  At age 7 he was fairly skilled on harmonica, and seven years later was sitting in with local Chicago musicians at taverns and parties.  

     A nice break came in 1952 when he was offered to fill a spot in the Muddy Waters band.  He was honored to do so as he would be taking Little Walter's place who had left the group, and was a big influence on Wells. Wells worked with a number of artists, including The Rolling Stones on numerous occasions.

     A great story comes from the album cover of his 1965 debut album "Hoodoo Man Blues." Wells writes: I went to a pawnshop and the man had a harmonica for 2 dollars. I got a job working on a soda truck, played hooky from school and worked all week. On Saturday I received a $1.50 for a whole week of work. When I went to the pawnshop I told the man that I just had to have that harp but he wouldn't take less than $2. When the man walked away from the counter I put my money down and picked up the harp.  At the trial the judge asked me why I did it and I told him I had to have that harp. Then the judge asked me to play it and when I did he gave the man $.50 and hollered "Case dismissed."  Wells released in excess of 40 albums.