Junior Wells was best known for his swaggering bravado in performance and for carrying on the rich harmonica tradition of Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson II. He became commonly known as the “Godfather of the Blues.”

Wells was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1934. In 1946 Wells's mother took him to Chicago, where he dedicated himself to breaking into the thriving blues scene, going from club to club trying to sit in with the biggest names of the day. His first major gig was with The Aces, featuring guitarists Louis and David Myers and drummer Fred Below. Wells joined Muddy Waters in 1952, filling the sudden void left by the departure of Little Walter. In the 1960s Wells teamed up with Buddy Guy to form a popular act that lasted many years. Wells also performed in later years with top rock artists, including the Rolling Stones and Van Morrison. Wells died in 1998.