Lonnie Brooks

After hearing live performances by T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, and other big names in the business, Lonnie Brooks (born Lee Baker, Jr.) began to dream of making a living from playing the blues. As he was playing his guitar on his front porch in Port Arthur, zydeco performer Clifton Chenier heard him and offered Brooks a job with his touring band, the Red Hot Louisiana Band. After setting on his solo career, Brooks adapted the stage name "Guitar Junior," and began to make his name in the music scene. After moving to Chicago and changing his stage name to his current moniker Lonnie Brooks, the blues guitarist found regular work at clubs in the area throughout the 60s and finally broke into the Blues scene after his 1979 album Bayou Lightning. Since then, Brooks has played in festivals around the country and has even appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman.