Robert Lockwood Jr.

Robert Lockwood, Jr., also known as Robert Junior Lockwood, (March 27, 1915 – November 21, 2006) was an American Delta blues guitarist, who recorded for Chess Records among other Chicago labels in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known as a longtime collaborator with Sonny Boy Williamson II and for his work in the mid-1950s with Little Walter.

Robert Lockwood was born in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, a hamlet west of Helena, Arkansas. He started playing the organ in his father's church at the age of 8. The famous bluesman Robert Johnson lived with Lockwood's mother for 10 years off and on after his parents' divorce. Lockwood learned from Johnson not only how to play guitar, but timing and stage presence as well. Because of his personal and professional association with the music of Robert Johnson, he became known as "Robert Junior" Lockwood, a nickname by which he was known among fellow musicians for the rest of his life, although he later frequently professed his dislike for this appellation.

By age 15, Lockwood was playing professionally at parties in the Helena area. He often played with his quasi-stepfather figure, Robert Johnson playing at fish fries, juke joints, and street corners throughout the Mississippi Delta in the 1930s. Lockwood played with Sonny Boy Williamson II in the Clarksdale, Mississippi area in 1938 and 1939. He also played with Howlin' Wolf in Memphis, Tennessee around 1938. From 1939 to 1940 he split his time playing in St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois and Helena.

In 1941, Lockwood made his first recordings with Doctor Clayton for the Bluebird label. These recordings were released as 78s on Bluebird Records.   Lockwood was an early influence of B. B. King and played with King's band during his early career in Memphis.

 In 1950, Lockwood settled in Chicago. In 1954 he replaced Louis Myers as guitarist in Little Walter's band and played on Walter's #1 hit "My Babe" in 1955. He left Little Walter's band shortly thereafter, and in the late '50s recorded several sessions with Sonny Boy Williamson for Chess Records, sessions which also included Willie Dixon and Otis Spann. Lockwood also performed and/or recorded with Sunnyland Slim, Eddie Boyd, and Muddy Waters among others.

In 1961, Lockwood moved with his wife to her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he resided until his death.  His Cleveland period also saw the release of some of his most noteworthy studio recordings as a bandleader, first with a pair of albums playing solo and with his band of the time on the Trix Records label, and then with Johnny Shines for two LPs on the Rounder label.  He released an album of his own material mixed with Robert Johnson covers titled "Plays Robert and Robert".

In October 2004, "Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live In Dallas" was awarded a Grammy for "Best Traditional Blues Album".  For Henry Townsend and Robert Lockwood Jr., it was the first Grammy win for these musicians.

His last known recording session was carried out at Ante Up Audio Studios in Cleveland; where he performed on the album "The Way Things Go", with longtime collaborator Cleveland Fats for Honeybee Entertainment.

Lockwood died at the age of 91 in Cleveland, having earlier suffered a cerebral aneurysm and a stroke.

(Robert Jr. Lockwood at 3rd Annual Poconos Blues Festival 1994)