Albums by Jimmy Reed
ALBUMAs Jimmy Is (Remastered)Jimmy Reed
ALBUMJimmy Reed Is BackJimmy Reed
ALBUMHard Walking Hanna (2009 Remaster)Jimmy Reed
ALBUMT'Aint No Big Thing But He Is... Jimmy ReedJimmy Reed
ALBUMBig Boss ManJimmy Reed
ALBUMJimmy Reed at Soul CityJimmy Reed
ALBUMThe Legend, The ManJimmy Reed
ALBUMJimmy Reed Sings the Best of the BluesJimmy Reed
ALBUMJimmy Reed Plays 12 String Guitar BluesJimmy Reed
ALBUMJust Jimmy ReedJimmy Reed
Artist Playlists
Jimmy Reed Essentials
A deceptively simple style made Reed's music shine.
Inspired by Jimmy Reed
The street-savvy bluesman who helped rock 'n' roll get off the ground.
Artist Biography
Born in Dunleith, Mississippi, in 1925, Jimmy Reed was one of the most influential and popular figures of the early electric blues era, and his elegantly simple songs have been covered by the likes of the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley. He moved to Chicago in 1943 to pursue a musical career, but was soon drafted and served in the Navy during the final years of the war. Upon discharge, he returned to Mississippi long enough to wed before relocating to Gary, Indiana, where he began working behind fellow bluesman John Brim. After Chess Records declined to sign him, he became one of the first artists on the fledgling Vee-Jay imprint. His first few singles flopped, but starting with 1955’s “You Don’t Have to Go,” Reed became one of the label’s biggest artists, releasing a steady string of hits through 1961, including “Baby What You Want Me to Do” and “Bright Lights, Big City.” When Vee-Jay shut down in 1964, he signed with BluesWay, a subsidiary of ABC-Paramount, although he failed to replicate his earlier success. Reed continued to tour and record until dying from respiratory failure in 1976, just shy of his 51st birthday.
Hometown
Dunleith, MS, United States
Genre
Blues