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At an early age, John Lee Hooker, Jr. seemed to have it all:
an almost regal pedigree, instant name recognition and the talent to back up
his father and legendary bluesmen like Jimmy Reed before his 16th birthday.
Then the Behind the Music-style meltdown
came early, and a once-promising career was stalled for 25 years by drugs,
alcohol, divorce and incarceration. Now, Hooker, recipient of the 2004 Comeback
Artist of the Year award by the Bay Area Blues Society, has returned with the
Grammy-nominated Blues With a Vengeance,
a rollicking mix of blues, jazz and R&B that has pushed the
prodigal son back into the spotlight. Sober for nearly three years, he has been
touring nonstop since early 2004, backed by a robust four-piece outfit featuring
Herbie Hancock protégé Will “Roc” Griffin. During that time, Hooker has
established himself as a mainstay of the San Francisco blues scene, and will
appear at Biscuits ’N Blues on Friday, Jan. 13; call 292-2583 for reservations
and info.
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