JOHN'S BIO
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Born July 19, 1953, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, John Watkins stood out as one of Chicago’s most promising young blues guitarists and singers. He grew up in the shadows of the famed Theresa’s Lounge on the South Side playing with Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Son Seals, Junior Wells and others. In 1973, still in his early 20s, he grabbed a gig as Willie Dixon’s guitarist, holding the post for seven years before joining James Cotton for a year and a half. After another stint with Dixon, John joined his uncle Jimmy Johnson’s group, and they stayed together for two years. John’s crisp, clean guitar work and soaring, soul-drenched vocals were showcased on his debut LP, Here I Am, cut with Johnson during a 1984 tour. His American recording debut was “Chained To Your Love,” a track on Alligator’s The New Bluebloods compilation, remains in print along with re-releases of "Here I Am" and the newly released "Living The Blues". John was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame on October 16, 2016.
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