He was born Lee Baker, Jr. in Dubuisson, Louisiana. He began performing with Clifton Chenier during the 1950s under the name Guitar Junior. He recorded some songs under that name which had local success. In 1960, he moved to Chicago. Luther Johnson was already using the name “Guitar Junior” there, so he adopted the stage name Lonnie Brooks. In 1978, four of his songs were included on an anthology of Chicago Blues released by Alligator Records. The following year, he released his album Bayou Lightning on the Alligator label. Brooks’ style, sometimes described as “voodoo blues”, includes elements of Chicago blues, swamp pop and rhythm and blues. Brooks appeared in the movie Blues Brothers 2000. Brooks has been Eric Clapton’s onstage guest at Buddy Guy’s Legends club and he’s put 150,000 people on their feet as an annual performer at the Chicago Blues Festival. With an unbeatable live show featuring his nonstop infectious grooves, Lonnie Brooks’ voodoo blues are essential listening for blues fans all over the world. Brooks’ sons Ronnie Baker Brooks and Wayne Baker Brooks are also full-time blues entertainers, fronting their own bands and touring extensively both in the U.S. and abroad. The Brooks’ are frequent guest performers at each others’ shows and have booked appearances as ‘The Brooks Family’, performing entire shows together. |
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