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Willie Johnson

1923 – 1995

American musician

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About Willie Johnson

Lived 1923 – 1995 (aged 71). Willie Johnson was an American musician and guitarist.

Life and career Willie Lee Johnson was born in Senatobia, Mississippi. As the guitarist in the first band led by Howlin' Wolf,

Johnson occasionally performed and recorded with Howlin' Wolf after settling in Chicago, and also played briefly in the band of Muddy Waters, as well as a number of other local Chicago blues musicians, including J. T. Brown, in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He made his living mainly outside of music for the rest of his life, only occasionally sitting in with the bands of his old friends around Chicago. His final recordings were made for Earwig Music in Chicago in the early 1990s. Johnson died in Chicago on February 26, 1995.

Namesakes Willie Johnson the guitarist should not be confused with Willie Johnson (a member of the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet until joining the Jubilaires in 1948), or with Blind Willie Johnson, an earlier gospel artist.

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Important facts

People in Willie Johnson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Willie Johnson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Willie Johnson?

American musician (1923–1995)

When was Willie Johnson born?

Willie Johnson was born on 4 March 1923 in Senatobia.

When did Willie Johnson die?

Willie Johnson died on 26 February 1995 in Chicago.

What was Willie Johnson's occupation?

Willie Johnson was a musician and guitarist.

What nationality was Willie Johnson?

Willie Johnson was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Willie Johnson

· Wikidata: Q2581459

· DBpedia: Willie Johnson (guitarist)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Willie Johnson. https://biography.guide/willie-johnson/

MLA: "Willie Johnson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/willie-johnson/.

Chicago: "Willie Johnson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/willie-johnson/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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