John Watkins

b. 19 July 1953, Chicago, Illinois, USA. As a youngster, Watkins was exposed to his parents’ blues record collection and later taught himself to play bass and drums. Around 1967-68 his mother finally bought him a guitar and by 1969 he was playing with Buddy Guy at Theresa’s Lounge in Chicago. From there, he went on to play with Koko Taylor, Son Seals, Junior Wells and others. He toured with Willie Dixon for seven years and then joined James Cotton’s band, recording with both artists. He made his own debut album in France in 1984 and also recorded one track for Alligator’s New Bluebloods anthology in 1987. He spent two years working with his uncle, blues guitarist Jimmy Johnson, but formed his own band in 1987 to showcase his crisp guitar-playing and soulful blues singing.