T-Bone Walker was born Aaron Thibeaux Walker (28 May 1910 – 16 March 1975) in Linden, Texas. He got his nickname from his mother who called him T-Bow, a shorter version of Thibeaux, and of course that soon became “T-Bone”. By the time he was 10, he broke into music, working as the lead-boy for Blind Lemon Jefferson (one of the premier bluesman of the 1920s). Walker would lead Jefferson everywhere he went. He eventually worked as a sideman on guitar with Jefferson and others.

He moved to LA in 1934 and almost immediately switched from acoustic to electric guitar. He pioneered its use in blues music and influenced so many others like B.B. King, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

In 1939, Walker joined Les Hite’s Cotton Club Orchestra, and he perfected his signature smooth-flowing sound. He worked through the 1940s, primarily in the west, but also in the Midwest and occasionally the east coast.

He first recorded as T-Bone Walker in 1942, and four years later had his big hit, “Call It Stormy Monday". That song is considered a blues classic, and it’s still heard today.

Walker was known for his showmanship and incredible live performances as much as he was for his song writing or actual guitar playing. He continue to write, record, and perform until his death in the 1970s and retained a large fan base for nearly all of his career.