Calling All Blues by Junior Wells (Fuel 2000)

Junior Wells was born Amos Blakemore in Memphis. He learned to play the harmonica from Little Junior Parker. When his family moved to Chicago12 years later, Wells started playing on the street for tips. Little Walter left Muddy Waters in 1952 and Wells took his place. Little Walter later backed Wells on his first sessions for States Records. Those sessions produced "Hoodoo Man," "Cut That Out" and "Junior’s Wail."

The next year when Wells recorded "So All Alone," "Lawdy! Lawdy!" with Muddy Waters on guitar. In 1957, Wells recorded "I Could Cry," "Lovey Dovey Lovely One," "Little by Little" with Willie Dixon and "Messin’ with the Kid" (which made it onto the charts) in 1960 with Earl Hooker.

1957-1963 Messin' With The Kid

Wells made the R&B charts again in 1968 with "You’re Tuff Enough." Wells recorded very little of his own during the '70s though he worked with Buddy Guy. They opened for the Rolling Stones on one memorable tour and cut an album. Soon afterward Wells’ popularity seemed to decline and he could most often be found playing small venues like Buddy Guy’ Legends. His last album was 1997’s Come on in This House.

Wells performed until he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in 1997. One of his last recording sessions was to record "(I can’t Get No) Satisfaction" for the Stones tribute CD Paint It Blue. Late in the year, he slipped into a coma after suffering a heart attack. Wells passed away on January 15, 1998 without regaining consciousness.