Hopkins’ style of music was considered to be both ferocious and distinctive, developed from many hours of playing on his own without a band backing him up. His finger-style technique made it seem as though he was playing bass, rhythm, lead, and percussion all at the same time. He would slap the body of his guitar while strumming to add the effect of a rhythmic accompaniment.
Lightnin’ Hopkins, the ‘Texas Troubadour,” held firmly to his place in the pantheon of great old time blues players until his death in January of 1982. He’s gone, but certainly his music lives on and continues to attract audiences from around the world. Some of his hit tunes include, Mojo Hand, Baby Please Don’t go, Going Down Slow, Bring Me My Shotgun, and the little known Black Cat Bone.
Here’s a live performance of his song, “Baby Please Don’t Go”.
