Hop Wilson

Hop Wilson
Birth name Hardin Wilson
Also known as Hop Wilson, Poppa Hop
Born April 27, 1927
Grapeland, Texas, United States
Died August 27, 1975 (aged 48)
Houston, Texas, United States
Genres Texas blues
Occupation(s) Guitarist, singer
Instruments Steel guitar, harmonica
Years active 1950s–1975
Labels Ivory, Goldband

Hardin "Hop" Wilson[1] (April 27, 1927 – August 27, 1975) was an American Texas blues steel guitar player.[2] Wilson gained the nickname "Hop" as a devolution of "Harp" due to his constant playing of a harmonica as a child.[3] His low sounding playing gave several of his tracks, even "Merry Christmas Darling", a morose, disillusioned feel.[1]

Early life

Wilson was born in Grapeland, Texas, United States,[4] in 1927, learning to play guitar and harmonica at an early age.[3] Acquiring his first steel guitar sometime between the age of 12 and 18,[3][5] Wilson performed at various Houston clubs.[4] After serving in the United States Army, Wilson decided to pursue a musical career.<ref name="[3]

Music career

Wilson began his career performing with Ivory Lee Semien in the 1950s, recording tracks in 1957 for Goldband Records in Lake Charles, Louisiana.[3] In 1960, Wilson signed with Ivory Records in Houston.[5] Wilson led recording sessions, but despised touring, and only played locally until his death in Houston in 1975.

Influence

While Wilson's recording career has been characterized as "slight",[4] he did have an influence on a variety of musicians, including Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones, who stated in 1994 "There's another guitar player called Hop Wilson. I got songs that I wrote like "Black Limousine" from him, those kinds of licks".[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 190. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  2. ↑ Du Noyer, Paul (2003). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music (1st ed.). Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181. ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Goldband Records. "Goldband Artist Hop Wilson". Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Gregory, Hugh (2003). Roadhouse blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Texas R&B. Backbeat Books. pp. 32–33. ISBN 978-0-87930-747-9. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ace Records. "Hop Wilson & His Buddies". Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  6. ↑ Ian Gordon McPherson (2000). "THE SALT OF THE EARTH 1950s-60s Deep South electric blues". Retrieved 2009-12-02.