Featured in this 1987 performance are Robert Jr. Lockwood (vocal and guitar), Sumito Ariyoshi (Piano), Gene Schwartz (bass), and Odie Payne Jr. (drums).

Robert Lockwood was born on March 27, 1915 in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, a hamlet west of Helena, Arkansas. He started playing the organ in his father’s church at the age of 8. Robert Johnson, the famous blues man, lived with Lockwood’s mother off and on for 10 years following his parents’ divorce. He learned from Johnson not only how to play guitar, but timing and stage presence as well. Because of his personal and professional association with the music of Robert Johnson, he became known as “Robert Junior” Lockwood, a nickname by which he was known among fellow musicians for the rest of his life, although he later frequently professed his dislike for this appellation.

In 1941, Lockwood made his first recordings with Doctor Clayton for the Bluebird label in Aurora, Illinois. During these same sessions, he also recorded the four songs which were released as the first two singles under his own name, which were early versions of his staple repertoire. These recordings were released as 78s on Bluebird Records.

Lockwood and Williamson were featured on the first King Biscuit Time radio program on KFFA in Helena that year. The pair continued to be associated with King Biscuit Time and play together in and around Helena throughout much of the 1940’s. From about 1944 to 1949 Lockwood played in West Memphis, Arkansas, St. Louis, Chicago and Memphis. Lockwood was an early influence of B. B. King and played with King’s band during his early career in Memphis.

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