CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

Searching for Hound Dog Taylor: a Chicago Blues Escapade

Hound Dog Taylor and Muddy Waters outside Florence’s Lounge on the Southside of Chicago.

I love this photo of Hound Dog Taylor (in his wig) and Muddy Waters. It reminds me of one of my greatest misadventures–16 years old, I’d had my license for only a few months. I commandeered my dad’s cop-bait red 240Z and drove from Indy to Chicago, intent on hearing Hound Dog Taylor and the House Rockers at the South Side club I’d heard they played at every weekend. I didn’t know the name of the place, but I was sure I could find it. How big could Chicago be? How many blues clubs were there? And surely everybody knew Hound Dog. (They didn’t.)

It was my first time driving a stick (aside from a tractor) First time on a toll road. First time in Chicago. First time trying to get into a bar. (I didn’t........

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