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ABOUT
Jet magazine called Johnny “Guitar” Watson (1935–96) “one of rhythm and blues’ most influential musicians.” Watson was a true musical chameleon, tackling blues, R&B, jazz, soul, and funk, often combining genres in novel ways. Watson won the admiration of everyone from Lightnin’ Hopkins to Jimi Hendrix to Prince, his influence pervading five decades of American music.
Though he had hits in all genres, his greatest commercial success came with the series of funk albums he released in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Apart from chart action and strong sales, his recordings from that period have also been extremely influential in hip-hop world. Countless rap songs—featuring Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Redman, Montell Jordan, and many others—have sampled such funk classics as “Superman Lover” and “Ain’t That a Bitch.”
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