Song:Those Lonely, Lonely Nights
Album:3 Hours Past Midnight
Many music fans are probably familiar with Johnny "Guitar" Watson's funk albums from the 70s. This comp covers his 50s recordings as an R & B artist. Watson reinvented himself several times over the years. He was born Feb. 3, 1935 in Houston. His father taught him to play piano but Watson liked the guitar of musicians like T-Bone Walker. As a teen, he played with Albert Collins & Johnny Copeland. His parents split up when he was 15 and Watson moved to Los Angeles with his mom. He was billed as Young John Watson when he sang on the 1952 Chuck Higgins hit Motorhead Baby. He also played guitar for Amos Milburn. He signed with King Records in 1953 and cut the searing instrumental track Space Guitar in 1954 and also changed his name when he saw the 1954 western Johnny Guitar. Watson moved to RPM Records in 1955 and cut some great music. Those Lonely, Lonely Nights reached #10 on the R & B singles charts. This comp covers the recordings from that period and is worth checking out. Things petered out for Watson in the late 50s but he seemed to have a knack for reinventing himself. In the 60s he worked with his old pal Larry Williams. But most fans will remember Johnny "Guitar" Watson in the 70s with his tricked out funk and his equally tricked out pimp wardrobe. Supposedly he was a real pimp. Then in the 90s he reinvented himself as a blues artist. Johnny "Guitar" Watson was on tour in Japan when he died on May 17, 1996 at age 61. Here's a video of Those Lonely, Lonely Nights by Johnny "Guitar" Watson.
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