Artists That Were Influenced by Muddy Waters
The American blues legend has left his mark on music and movies
American blues legend Muddy Waters performing in 1976. Photo: Lionel Decoster/Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-SA-4.0
On April 4th, 2023, blues icon Muddy Waters would have turned 110 years old. Waters – who passed away on April 30th, 1983, at the age of 70 – left behind a wealth of music. That music has influenced countless musicians and artists in their own careers. Here’s a list of a few of them.
The Rolling Stones
There isn’t any higher tribute paid to Muddy Waters other than British rockers The Rolling Stones naming the band after Waters’ 1950 song “Rollin’ Stone.” The mid-slow tempo track has its roots in the Delta blues that dates back to Mississippi in the 1920s.
Jimi Hendrix
Although American artist Jimi Hendrix is a guitar God in his own right, he counts Muddy Waters as a big influence on his playing. In an earlier interview, Hendrix said, “I first heard him as a little boy and it scared me to death.”
Cream
On their 1966 debut album Fresh Cream, English rock band Cream covered the track “Rollin’ and Tumblin’,” a blues standard Muddy Waters recorded in 1950. Cream’s guitarist Eric Clapton has said on countless occasions that he was a huge fan of Waters growing up and that Waters’ music has heavily influenced his own career.
Led Zeppelin
British rock band Led Zeppelin’s hit song “Whole Lotta Love” off their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II includes lyrics, some of which were adapted from the song “You Need Love,” recorded by Muddy Waters in 1962.
The Hoochie Coochie Men: B.B. King, Buddy Guy and the Allman Brothers Band
Blues legends B.B. King and Buddy Guy as well as American rock outfit the Allman Brothers Band have not only been influenced by Muddy Waters but have also paid tribute to him by covering his electrified blues number and hit song “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” which was first released in 1954.
AC/DC
Australian hard-rock band AC/DC’s guitarist Angus Young has cited Muddy Waters as one of his influences. The group’s song “You Shook Me All Night Long” off their 1980 seminal album Back In Black, takes its title from the lyrics off Muddy Waters’ track “You Shook Me” which was released in 1962.
Martin Scorsese
American film director Martin Scorsese has been a lifelong fan of Muddy Waters and has included his music in several movies such as The Color of Money, Goodfellas and Casino.
