John Lee Hooker ‘King Of The Boogie’ Exhibit To Open At Grammy Museum
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary Grammy Award-winning bluesman John Lee Hooker, a new travelling exhibit entitled Celebrating John Lee Hooker: King Of The Boogie is set to open on 29 March in Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum.
The exhibition is set to feature rare recordings and unique Items from the Hooker estate while the legendary blues man’s daughters, Diane Hooker-Roan and Zakiya Hooker will be appearing at the Museum for a special opening night program.
Presented in conjunction with the John Lee Hooker Estate and Craft Recordings, the exhibit originally opened at Grammy Museum Mississippi—Hooker’s home state—in 2017, the year of Hooker’s centennial.
On display for a limited time only through June 2018, the exhibit will include a fascinating array of John Lee Hooker memorabilia. Some of the items include a rare 1961 Epiphone Zephyr—one of only 13 made that year—identical to the ’61 Zephyr played by John Lee Hooker. Plus, a prototype of Epiphone’s soon-to-be-released Limited Edition 100th Anniversary John Lee Hooker Zephyr; Hooker’s signature Gibson ES-335 guitar; a Hohner HJ5 Jazz and custom Washburn HB35 guitar, all of which were played by Hooker.
Also on show will be the Best Traditional Blues Recording Grammy Hooker won, with Bonnie Raitt, for ‘I’m In The Mood’ at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards in 1990, plus Hooker’s Best Traditional Blues Album Grammy for Don’t Look Back, which was co-produced by Van Morrison and Mike Kappus and won at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in 1998.
Other choice items include a letter to Hooker from former President Bill Clinton; the program from Hooker’s memorial service, which took place on 27 June 27, 2001, in Oakland, California; rare photos of Hooker with Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Taj Mahal, Roy Rogers, and Carlos Santana and clothing items and performance outfits worn by the legendary blues guitarist.
“We are thrilled to share with our visitors the legendary tale of world-renowned blues great John Lee Hooker,” said Scott Goldman, Grammy Museum Executive Director. “The King of the Boogie put Mississippi on the map as a blues mecca with a unique guitar style and driving beat that inspired countless artists—from The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin. The Grammy Museum is honored to continue celebrating the life and legacy of John Lee Hooker.”
Diane and Zakiya Hooker said in a statement: “John Lee Hooker is gone but not forgotten. In collaboration with the Grammy Museum and our partners, the John Lee Hooker family is pleased and honored to be able to bring to the public the artifacts in this exhibit, donated not just by family but by his very dear friends and associates. This centennial is a celebration of John Lee Hooker’s amazing life and his love of the music that he shared with the world.”
Tickets for Celebrating John Lee Hooker: King Of The Boogie are $20 and can be purchased from the Grammy Museum website from Thursday, 8 March at noon PST. The event will feature an intimate conversation with Hooker’s daughters, Diane and Zakiya, moderated by Goldman, and will conclude with a special performance by Zakiya. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Clive Davis Theater. Doors open at 7 p.m. and attendees will have the opportunity to view the exhibit prior to the program from 6–7:30 p.m.
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