American Folk Blues Festival Tour : John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, Memphis Slim, Helen Humes, Shakey Jake & Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Free Trade Hall, Manchester (GB) - Oct 22, 1962

Hooker, guitar/vocal, came on first with his doomy vocals, repetitious guitar and stomping foot. In contrast, Walker, more in the r’n’b camp, with flowing guitar lines, worked the audience like the entertainer he was, showboating with guitar behind his back and in various other positions. In fact both performers are major figures in postwar blues. Memphis Slim was also an established figure as pianist/vocalist and accompanist, here in particular to Helen Humes the singer. Shakey Jake harmonica/vocal and Sonny & Brownie, well-known duo, harmonica and vocal/guitar respectively, completed the bill. The also popular Willie Dixon, bass player, and Armand ‘Jump’ Jackson drums, accompanied. The first time I had experienced anything like this and, apart from Terry and McGhee, I had not heard them on record either. So, quite an event.