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Person · Male
Big Walter Horton
blues harmonica player
- From
- Horn Lake, United States
- Active
- 1921–1981
- Releases
- 28
- blues
- chicago blues
About
Walter Horton (April 6, 1921 – December 8, 1981), known as Big Walter (Horton) or Walter "Shakey" Horton, was an American blues harmonica player. A quiet, unassuming, shy man, he is remembered as one of the premier harmonica players in the history of blues. Willie Dixon once called Horton 'the best harmonica player I ever heard'.
Read more
Robert Palmer named him as 'one of the three great harmonica soloists of modern blues with the two others being cited as Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson II. Also known as 'Mumbles', 'Shakey', along with 'Tangle Eye' and 'Shakey Head' (because of his head motion whilst playing the harmonica, along with his suffering from nystagmus). Horton was known for his unique tongue-blocking techniques and tone.
Member of
-
Mose, Joe & Walter eponymous
Discography
Albums
-
Southern Comfort
-
Walter Shakey Horton With Hot Cottage Apple Music
-
King of the Harmonica Players
-
Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell
-
Fine Cuts Apple Music
-
Old Friends
-
Harmonica Blues Essentials Apple Music
-
Horton
-
Can't Keep Lovin' You Apple Music
-
In Session - From Memphis To Chicago 1951-1956
-
Sun Records Originals: Easy Apple Music
Singles
Live
Links
Listen
Also known as
Big Walter "Shakey" Horton · Big Walter 'Shakey' Horton · Big Walter 'Shaky' Horton · Mumbles · Shakey Walter Horton · Walter 'Mumbles' Horton · Walter 'Shakey' Horton · Walter Horton · Walter Shakey Horton · Walther Horton
Tags
- 2008 universal fire victim
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- 430a451b-4e32-456d-ab29-4389c322ca45
- ISNI
- 0000000079965438
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 9 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.