I found John Lee Hooker in the 1950 census. He was living at 2420 Van Dyke Street in Detroit with his wife Maude and daughter Diane. He was a boarder in the home of Levi Barnes. His occupation was "guitar player" in the "archester" industry!
#blues #JohnLeeHooker #census #genealogy #1950Census #detroit #guitar #archester
Four months after this census was taken, there was a murder in that home.
According to the Detroit Free Press, "Police sought a 39-year-old brother-in-law in the fatal shooting of Harry W. Adams, 48, of 1807 Meldrum, in a street brawl early Saturday [August 5, 1950]. Adams and the suspect, Robert Hall, of 5024 Canton, quarreled at a party at the home of Levi Barnes, 2420 Van Dyke, witnesses told police. Adams allegedly told his brother-in-law, 'You haven't been treating me right.' In the ensuing scuffle outside, Adams was killed by four shots in his neck and head, police said."
Here's John Lee Hooker in the 1940 census living in Quitman County, Mississippi with his 17-year-old wife Alma and their 10-month-old son Charles.
Most online sources say Hooker married Alma in 1943, had one child with her (a daughter named Frances), and divorced her that same year. The census data suggests otherwise.
#JohnLeeHooker #blues #census #FactCheck #genealogy #mississippi
Here’s John Lee Hooker’s World War II draft registration card. Says he was born in Glendora, Mississippi on August 25, 1914. He was living with his wife Alma in Vance, Miss. His employer was “H. Bornman.”
Looks like he signed it with his mark, an X, suggesting he could not write.
An award-winning 1986 Spin feature by Bart Bull. “Messin’ With The Hook.”
https://www.spin.com/2021/02/john-lee-hooker-1986-interview/
Jake has moved!