Lightnin' Hopkins

USA, 1946–1982

Texas blues singer and guitarist (1912-1982) who played in free rhythm, extending or shortening phrases at will rather than keeping to fixed bar counts.

MusicRoots documents 1 artist who influenced Lightnin' Hopkins and 3 artists Lightnin' Hopkins influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Lightnin' Hopkins?

• Blind Lemon Jefferson — The eight-year-old Hopkins met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a picnic in Buffalo, Texas and played behind him — the encounter he cited as his beginning.

Which artists did Lightnin' Hopkins influence?

• Jimi Hendrix — Lightnin' Hopkins was among the first blues artists Hendrix absorbed while growing up.
• Santana — Lightnin' Hopkins was the raw Texas blues foundation from which Santana developed as a guitarist.
• Townes Van Zandt — Hopkins's fingerpicking was Van Zandt's model for the guitar, and he opened for him in Houston.