John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker, known as the Father of the Boogie Blues, created a hypnotic one-chord groove style that sold over a million copies of "Boogie Chillen" in 1948. His career spanned seven decades, with dozens of album releases, and he won his first Grammy at age 72 in 1989. His song "Boom Boom" became a global hit, peaking at #60 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962, proving his commercial reach beyond the blues niche. His longevity and cross-genre collaborations — including work with Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, and Bonnie Raitt — make him a unique bridge between blues and rock.