Friday, July 23, 2010

Johnny Littlejohn - What In The World You Goin' To Do



John Littlejohn Funchess was born on April 16, 1931 in either Lake or Learned, MS. depending on the source. He learned how to play guitar from a man by the name of Henry Martin, a friend of his father. Littlejohn left home at the age of fifteen in 1946. He traveled far and wide playing in Jackson, MS., Arkansas, Rochester, NY. and Gary, IN. where he finally settled in 1951 so he could play in Chicago. Littlejohn didn't record until 1968. He cut a handful of 45 RPM's released on small Chicago labels such as Margaret, Terrell, T-D-S, and Weis. His first full length album was released on Arhoolie, in late 1968. Four sides for Chess the following year were not issued at the time but have sinced been issued on a double-LP compilation on that label. (title unknown). He wouldn't record another album until 1985 when "So-Called Friends" was released on Rooster Blues. John Littlejohn fell into bad health soon after recording this album, and passed away in Chicago, IL. on February 2, 1994. In 1995 the Denmark-based Storyville Records label released "Dream" that was recorded in 1976, in a live club performace.

No comments:

Post a Comment