Biography
John Lee Hooker regarded Delta blues singer and guitarist Tony Hollins as a significant influence. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi near the beginning of the 1900s, Hollins left scant biographical traces. In 1941 he made his initial recordings with OKeh, where the smooth yet persistent delivery on “Crawlin’ King Snake” provided the model for Hooker’s subsequent version. Hooker drew from Hollins’ “Traveling Man Blues” when creating “When My Wife Quit Me.” Although fellow musicians held him in high esteem, Hollins failed to achieve widespread popularity. Following a 1951 recording date, he slowly withdrew from the music scene to concentrate on barbering. Chicago became the place of his passing in 1959.