Johnny Temple | |
---|---|
Born |
Hazlehurst, Mississippi, United States |
October 18, 1906
Died | November 22, 1968 Canton, Mississippi, United States |
(aged 62)
Genres | Delta blues, folk blues |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instruments | Guitar, vocals, piano |
Johnny Temple (October 18, 1906 – November 22, 1968) was an American Chicago blues guitarist and singer, who was active in the 1930s and 1940s. He was variously billed as Johnny Temple, Johnnie Temple and Johnnie "Geechie" Temple.
Temple was born in Canton, Mississippi, and grew up around Jackson. He moved to Chicago in early 1930s and started playing with Joe McCoy in clubs. His most popular record, "Louise Louise Blues," released by Decca Records, was a hit in 1936. The Harlem Hamfats, a Chicago jazz band formed in 1936, provided backup music for Temple and other singers.
Temple continued recording with various labels through most of the 1940s. His connection with the record producer Mayo Williams provided him with recording opportunities until 1949. He returned to Mississippi in the mid-1950s, where he continued to perform in and around Jackson.
He died of cancer on November 22, 1968, aged 62, in Jackson.