Johnny “Guitar” Watson – “Space Guitar” from the album “Roll Your Moneymaker”

Born John Watson, Jr on 3 February 1935 in Houston, Texas he was initially taught piano by his father. A musical prodigy (his grandfather gave him a guitar when he was 11), he played with both Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland.

His “Space Guitar” album was released in 1954 pioneering guitar feedback and reverb.
He toured and recorded with Larry Williams, Little Richard, Johnny Otis and David Axelrod, played with Sam Cooke and was a guest performer on Frank Zappa’s “One Size Fits All” album. He died on 17 May 1996.

Roll Your Moneymaker: Early Black Rock ‘n Roll 1948-1958

1) You’ve Got To Lose – Ike Turner & The Kings Of Rhythm; 2) You Gonna Wreck My Life – Howlin’ Wolf; 3) W-O-M-A-N – Etta James; 4) Roll Your Moneymaker – Shakey Jake; 5) Sugar Coated Love – Lazy Lester; 6) Tiger Man – Rufus Thomas; 7) Night Out – John J. Moses; 8) I’m Going Down To Tijuana – Andre Williams; 9) Please Don’t Freeze – Ruth Brown; 10) Bring The Money In – The Bill Davis Trio; 11) Don’t Leave Poor Me – Big Maybelle; 12) Space Guitar – Johnny “Guitar” Watson; 13) She Made My Blood Run Cold – Ike Turner; 14) I Got Love If You Want It – Slim Harpo; 15) Keep On Loving Me Baby – Otis Rush; 16) Jericho – Sister Rosetta Tharpe; 17) If Lovin’ Is Believing – Billy “The Kid” Emerson; 18) Heart-O-Matic Love – Bo Diddley; 19) Got My Mojo Working – Ann Cole With The Suburbans; 20) 21 Days In Jail – Magic Sam; 21) Deep Feeling – Chuck Berry; 22) Crawfish – Jesse Stone; 23) Pneumonia – Joe Tex; 24) Love My Baby – Little Junior Parker