Brooks 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, Illinois. Luther Johnson was already using the name "Guitar Junior" there, so he adopted the alternative stage name, Lonnie Brooks. In 1961 he played guitar on the double album, Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall. Brooks' style, sometimes described as "voodoo blues", includes elements of Chicago blues, Louisiana blues, swamp pop and rhythm and blues. Millions who have never heard his records have seen him playing the back porch bluesman, who loses his wife but wins a recording contract, in a sequence of TV advertisements for Heineken beer. 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.

A full horn section on five of the 10 tracks on Turn On The Night adds an extra kick to Brook's already punchy arrangements. In addition to succesfully capturing the rollicking flavour of Brooks' live show, Live From Chicago: Bayou Lightning Strikes also marks guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks' debut in his dad's band. Roadhouse Rules was produced by Jim Gaines who did a fine job here. These three albums are making Alligator's catalogue even more interesting, it's about time to add them to your own catalogue, if you didn't already. See ya'll next week!

Turn On The Night - Alligator 1981
Live From Chicago: Bayou Lightning Strikes - Alligator 1988
Roadhouse Rules - Alligator 1996

Video: Lonnie Brooks Interview

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