Big Walter Horton Mississippi Blues Trail Marker

Big Walter Horton, also known as Walter "Shakey" Horton was born in Horn Lake on April 6, 1918, moved to Memphis as a child and then on to Chicago where he first appeared on the blues scene in the late 1950's. A quiet, unassuming, and essentially shy man, Horton is remembered as one of the most influential harmonica players in the history of blues. His career encompassed playing blues joints in the Mississippi Delta, getting tips as a child, during the 1920's and 30's, to studio recording with Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Winter and others. The uplifting beauty of Horton's music contrasted with the sorrows and tragedies of his personal life. Horton died of heart failure on December 8, 1981\. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1982.