Johnny Temple (musician)
Johnny Temple (October 18, 1906 – November 22, 1968)[1] was an American Chicago blues guitarist and singer, who operated in in the 1930s and 1940s.[2] An acquaintance and near-contemporary of Skip James, Temple delivered sedate blues in the vein of Lonnie Johnson.[3] He was variously billed as Johnny Temple, Johnnie Temple and Johnnie "Geechie" Temple.
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[edit] Life and career
Temple was born in Canton, Mississippi, United States.[1] Growing up around Jackson, he moved to Chicago in early 1930s, and started playing with Joe McCoy in the clubs.[3] His most popular record, "Louise Louise Blues," on the Decca label, was a hit in 1936.[4] The Harlem Hamfats, a Chicago jazz band formed in 1936, provided backup music for Temple, and other singers.[3]
Temple continued recording with various labels through most of the 1940s. His connection with the record producer Mayo Williams, earned him recording opportunities until 1949.[3] He returned to Mississippi in the mid-1950s, where he continued to perform in and around Jackson, Mississippi.
He died from cancer in 1968, aged 62, in Jackson.[1]
[edit] Selected discography
| Year | Title | Genre | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | The Essential (Original recording remastered) | Chicago blues | Classic Blues | 2 CDs; 36 tracks |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Users.fortress.com - accessed May 2009
- ^ Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
- ^ a b c d Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. pp. 175–176. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
- ^ Santelli, Robert. The Big Book of Blues, Penguin Books, page 454, (2001) - ISBN 0-14-100145-3
