William James “Willie” Dixon: Helped Shape the Post–World War II Sound of the Chicago Blues

William James “Willie” Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and record producer

Dixon was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on July 1, 1915.

During World War II, Dixon refused induction into military service as a conscientious objector and was put in prison for ten months.

Only second to Muddy Waters, Dixon was recognized as the most influential person in shaping the post–World War II sound of the Chicago blues.

Dixon worked with several musical geniuses such as Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Rush, Bo Diddley, Joe Louis Walker, Little Walter, and several others.

Dixon was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980, at the inaugural session of the Blues Foundation’s ceremony.