Muddy Waters: The Mojo Man

by Sandra Tooze, Eric Clapton (Foreword by)

A sharecropper on a Mississippi plantation, a bootlegger, gambler, ladies' man, and dynamic blues singer and guitarist-Muddy Waters's life is traced in this original biography of the legendary blues man from the early twentieth century to his death in 1983. Interviews with key industry figures such as James Cotton, Willie Smith, Junior Wells, Jimmy Rogers, B. B. King, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, and Marshall Chess prove to be a source of priceless anecdotes and lend substance and texture to this compelling portrait of a blues pioneer.

Genres: Music, Biography

383 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

Reviews

[Jeff Crompton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not trying to be harsh or cruel, but about halfway through this book I realized that I was not looking forward to picking it up anymore. At that point I invoked the Reader's Bill of Rights and decided to stop reading.

The actual biographical information was good and informative. It's difficult to say why I did not enjoy reading it; I'm quite prepared to accept the "blame" for my lack of enjoyment rather than place it on the author.

[John Pehle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard the music of Muddy Waters in 1969 and I was hooked. Sadly, this offering from Sandra B. Tooze isn’t quite as engaging. This biography does cover Muddy from birth to death. It is extensively researched and documented with notes after each chapter. While it might lack the soul and energy befitting Muddy Waters, it contains details of the comings and goings of band members and a complete discography for the blues scholar to digest. I am glad I finally read it (it has been on my bookshelf for a while) but I wish it had a bit more sizzle.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago and am adding it to my list so that I can put it on the swap list. The thing I remember most is how many people who played with Muddy went on to have enormously successful blues careers. This is in contrast to others like B.B. King (don't get me wrong I love him) who didn't really do much to help the careers of those who played with him.

[Eric Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the more readable and memorable musical biographies I've read.