J. B. Hutto And The New Hawks: The Raw Power of Chicago Blues

Joseph Benjamin "J.B." Hutto was an American slide guitar virtuoso and vocalist who became a defining force in the post-war Chicago blues scene. Leading his band The New Hawks, Hutto carved out a raw, electrifying sound that influenced generations of rock and blues musicians, leaving a legacy cemented by his seminal album Hawk Squat.

Early career

Born in 1926 in Blackville, South Carolina, J.B. Hutto moved to Chicago in 1949, initially drawn to the city's gospel scene. Inspired by the explosive slide work of Elmore James, Hutto taught himself guitar and began performing in the tough South Side taverns, developing his wild stage persona and trademark sound.

His first recordings emerged in the early 1950s for small labels like Atomic-H and Chance, but it was his 1966 debut album for Delmark Records, Delmark, that formally introduced his incendiary style to the blues revival audience.

Breakthrough

The true commercial and critical breakthrough for J. B. Hutto And The New Hawks arrived in 1968 with the release of the album Hawk Squat on the Vanguard label. The album captured the band's ferocious live energy and Hutto's slashing slide guitar, becoming a cornerstone record for fans of raw, unadulterated Chicago blues and a sought-after collector's item.

Key tracks

Hip Shakin' — This relentless boogie from Hawk Squat perfectly encapsulates the band's driving, dance-floor-filling power.

Too Much Alcohol — A definitive Hutto performance, this track showcases his emotionally raw vocal delivery and piercing slide guitar tone.

20% Alcohol — Another hard-charging anthem that became a staple of his live sets, highlighting his direct and powerful songwriting.

Please Help — This slower, pleading blues demonstrates Hutto's deep emotional range and mastery of traditional blues forms.

Following the success of Hawk Squat, Hutto continued to tour extensively and record for labels like JSP and Varrick throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. His final studio album, Slippin' & Slidin', was released in 1982, just before his untimely death from cancer in 1983. His influence, however, resonated powerfully, impacting artists like George Thorogood and the slide guitar approach of many rock musicians.

Fans of J. B. Hutto And The New Hawks' raw, high-energy Chicago blues should also explore the work of similar artists like Hound Dog Taylor, who shared a similarly ragged and boisterous guitar-led sound. The fiery slide work of Elmore James was Hutto's primary inspiration and remains essential listening. For another potent dose of Chicago slide guitar, seek out Buddy Guy in his earlier, fiercer recordings. The driving ensemble work can also be heard in the music of Magic Sam, another West Side blues great.

The raw, electrifying Chicago blues of J. B. Hutto And The New Hawks remains a vital part of the programming on dedicated blues radio stations and classic rock FM stations that delve into the genre's roots. Their music is a regular feature on independent music radio stations and online rock radio streams that celebrate authentic, high-energy American music history.

Listeners can discover the powerful legacy of J. B. Hutto And The New Hawks by tuning into the blues and classic rock radio stations featured on our website. Explore the stations available on onairium.com to hear his influential slide guitar anthems and experience a foundational sound of Chicago blues.