Big Walter Horton

Walter Horton (April 6, 1921 – December 8, 1981), known as Big Walter (Horton) or Walter "Shakey" Horton, was an American blues harmonica player. A quiet, unassuming, shy man, he is remembered as one of the premier harmonica players in the history of blues. Willie Dixon once called Horton 'the best harmonica player I ever heard'. Robert Palmer named him as 'one of the three great harmonica soloists of modern blues with the two others being cited as Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson II. Also known as 'Mumbles', 'Shakey', along with 'Tangle Eye' and 'Shakey Head' (because of his head motion whilst playing the harmonica, along with his suffering from nystagmus). Horton was known for his unique tongue-blocking techniques and tone.

Similar Artists

Muddy Waters

Buddy Guy

Albert King

Charlie Musselwhite

B.B. King

Jimmy Reed

Howlin' Wolf

Elmore James

Koko Taylor

Freddie King

James Cotton

Taj Mahal

Little Walter

John Lee Hooker

The Jimmy Rogers All Stars

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers

Big Bill Broonzy

Lonnie Johnson

Freddy King

T-bone Walker

Son House

Magic Sam

Otis Rush

Billy Branch

Memphis Minnie

Memphis Slim

Lightnin' Hopkins

Snooky Pryor

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Junior Wells

Luther Allison

Magic Slim

Carey Bell