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Profile
John Mooney
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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John Mooney is an innovative slide guitarist who has successfully merged the traditional Delta acoustic style with the electric guitar. Mooney's live shows feature his vintage steel guitar, a bottleneck slide, his stomping foot pounding out the rhythms, a commanding voice, and a ferocious attack that is almost manic in its intensity. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, April 3, 1955, Mooney grew up in Rochester, New York where, at the age of 16, he first met and was musically adopted by Delta blues pioneer Son House. Mooney learned how to play slide guitar from the master and developed a deep appreciation for the blues. Mooney cites Son House's heavily rhythmic style as having a strong influence on him and in fact, the way Mooney adapts acoustic playing to a modern electric format is one of his most distinctive trademarks. In 1976 Mooney relocated to New Orleans where he spent the next 4 years under the tutelage of piano legend Professor Longhair. He soon began translating the unique syncopation and second-line rhythms of Professor Longhair's piano style to his distinctive slide guitar technique. Rarely does a Mooney set pass without him tossing a guitar-driven cover of an old Professor Longhair nugget into the mix. It wasn't long before he landed a contract with Blind Pig Records and in 1977 Mooney released his groundbreaking debut album, "Comin' Your Way." Throughout the late '80s and early '90s, Mooney toured consistently and released albums on a variety of different record labels. After taking a needed break from touring, Mooney moved to Florida and in May of 2000 he released his newest album on Blind Pig Records, "Gone To Hell." There is no half hearted effort whenever John Mooney performs. He plays with a savage, raw power and scathing, razor-sharp intensity that is a site to behold.
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