Chicago Bob Nelson

Life and career Robert Lee Nelson was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, United States. His was a musical family. Bob's father, Versie Nelson, played upright bass and harmonica. From an early age Bob accompanied Versie to house parties, backyard barbecues and Saturday night fish fries around Bogalusa where cajun music, zydeco and blues were performed. Nelson recalled, "It was just people eating, jamming and having a good time!" Nelson began playing the harmonica at the age of eight. As a youngster he was encouraged and instructed by Versie's musical cohorts, Louisiana blues musicians (and Excello recording artists) Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester. Nelson credited Harpo, Lester, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Jimmy Reed (all of whom he knew) as his primary influences, as well as Sonny Boy Williamson I whose recordings he studied. Through listening to these artists, Nelson learned to use his instrument as a "second voice" to interpret and elucidate the emotion and themes of a song. Trips to Chicago to visit family were a major part of Nelson's childhood.

By the early 1960s he had taken up residence in Chicago. There he met and performed with Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Earl Hooker and Muddy Waters.

Discography The Heart Fixers – (with Tinsley Ellis and the Heart Fixers) Southland Records Live at the Moonshadow – (with Tinsley Ellis and the Heart Fixers) Landslide Records Just Your Fool (1988) – HMG Comin' Back Strong – Erwin Music Hit and Run Lover (1992) – King Snake Records Back to Bogalusa (1996) – King Snake Records Keep What I Got (1993) – Planisphare Flyin' Too High (2006 compilation) – 95 North Records