Just what influence did Little Walter had on harmonica playing?

Question

I know that he's known as one of the best blues men ever and that he was inducted to the R&R hall of fame. my question is Why??

Answer 1

Melting Media is right on the money.



Although Little Walter was not the first harp player to use amplification, he was the first to make use of the sonic possibilities of a mic and amp to create a new voice for the instrument.



Many Chicago bluesmen who worked contemporaneously with Little Walter have claimed that Big Walter was actually a superior harp player, but that Little Walter had a better sound.

However, having heard hundreds of cuts by both, I'll still say Little Walter was, and is, the master.



His influence on later harp players is unsurpassed by anyone (although Sonny Boy #2 is a close second).



His accolytes such as George "Harmonica" Smith, Junior Wells, and Rod Piazza have, in turn, influenced another couple of generations of harp players.



Coincidentally, I just (finally) framed eight posters of harp players I got from Hohner about twenty years ago. The poster for Little Walter has the headline;



"He ran away from home before he was nine, played on city street corners until he was sixteen, and died from a fight when he was just thirty-eight. no wonder he played the blues so well."

Answer 2

Mercy alive . Lets see Charlie Musslewhite,Magic Dick of the JGiles band,And that Blues Travler guy, Jim Rosen, And probley The Rolling Stones, Little Walter was the only Harpist who could play all 7 postions on a harmonica. Most player play first position or Cross Harp.(thats 4 steps from the 1)

He created the sound of Chicago harp

Answer 3

The 3 answers above me have summed it up perfectly. If you would like to learn more about Little Walter check out the following reading material:



"The Story of Chess Records" by John Collis

ISBN # 1-58234-005-6



"Blues With A Feeling-The Little Walter Story" by Tony Glover, Scott Dirks and Ward Gaines.

ISBN # 0-415-93711-6

Answer 4

Absolutely! The harmonica influences the way I solo. I don't know what it is, but there is just something really raw about the harmonica. I love the harmonica in Road House Blues by the Doors, and anything by Blues Traveler.

Answer 5

And to add...while there were many good harpists during LW's era, he alone was explosive, almost jazz-like and unique among all in his sound. Most modern players sound is heavily influenced by LW (Kim Wilson, Mark Hummel, Rod Piazza, Jerry Portnoy to name some of the big shots). Certainly LW had influences but known can be shown to have a sound similar to him. LW was actually influenced greatly by Louis Jordan, a jump blues sax player. LW did with a harp what many guitarists do for a song...take and lead it. He was very melodic and driving in his playing. He was not a backdrop in the rhythm section by any means, even when he played with Muddy Waters. Can you tell I love him.

Answer 6

He single-handedly developed the use of the microphone for tones never before heard.



Every blues and rock harpist today owes it to Little Walter. That's rare for me to type, as there are very few absolutes in blues.