Carl Hogan

Carl D. Hogan (October 15, 1917 – July 8, 1977) was an American jazz and rhythm and blues guitarist and bassist. He is known for playing the lead guitar riff on Louis Jordan's "Ain't That Just Like a Woman (They'll Do It Every Time)" which was later imitated by Chuck Berry for his hit "Johnny B. Goode".

Hogan was born in 1917 to Broadus Henry Hogan and his wife Luerena, possibly in Louina, Alabama. He spent time as a child in Tallapoosa and Atlanta, Georgia, and in Pensacola, Florida where his father was a preacher. Census records describe the family as "mulatto". Other sources state that he was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. By 1940 he was living in Conway, Arkansas. His early musical career included stints on guitar and bass with the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra and George Hudson's Orchestra.

Hogan was recruited to join Louis Jordan's Tympany Five as a temporary bass player. Jordan had wanted Po Simkins as a bassist, but Simkins was unable to give Jordan his release date from the US Armed Forces, so until his release was completed Hogan filled in as Jordan's bassist. With Jordan's band, Hogan appeared on the soundtracks to Look Out Sister (1946), Beware (1946), and Reet, Petite, and Gone (1948). He performed on numerous recordings with Jordan, including "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie", "Don't Worry 'Bout That Mule", "Ain't That Just Like a Woman (They'll Do It Every Time)", "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens", "Jack, You're Dead", "Let the Good Times Roll", "Open the Door, Richard", "Boogie Woogie Blue Plate", and "Early in the Mornin'". On 1946's "Ain't That Just Like a Woman (They'll Do It Every Time)", Hogan first recorded the guitar riff that was to become "the most famous signature in rock 'n' roll".