Lightnin’ in Europe

Lightnin’ Hopkins plays “Lightnin’s Blues” at the American Folk-Blues Festival in England in 1964.

In 1959, Lightnin’ Hopkins was contacted by folklorist Mack McCormick who hoped to bring him to the attention of the broader musical audience which was caught up in the folk revival. McCormack presented him to integrated audiences first in Houston and then in California. Hopkins debuted at Carnegie Hall on October 14, 1960, appearing alongside Joan Baez and Pete Seeger to perform the spiritual “Mary Don’t You Weep.” In 1960, he signed to Tradition Records. The recordings which followed include his song “Mojo Hand” released in 1960. Lightnin’ traveled widely in the United States, and overcame his fear of flying to join the 1964 American Folk Blues Festival overseas.

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