Long John Hunter was a gritty, vibrant figure in the blues scene, known for his raw and emotionally charged guitar work. Born John Thurman Hunter Jr. on July 13, 1931, in Ringgold, Louisiana, he carved out his niche in the world of blues with a career that spanned several decades. Hunter was a late bloomer, not releasing his first album until the age of 63, but he quickly gained notoriety for his lively tunes and soulful performances.

Much of Long John Hunter's early recognition came from his time gigging at the infamous Lobby Club in Juarez, Mexico, a tenure that stretched over 13 years and helped cultivate his robust sound and energetic stage presence. Hunter's music blended the traditional blues structures with a spicy Texan flavor, captured in albums such as "Border Town Legend" and "Swinging From The Rafters." A master of the guitar, his style was both flamboyant and nuanced, contributing to the rich tapestry of Texas blues. Throughout the '90s and into the 2000s, he continued to release albums like "Looking for a Party" and "Ride With Me," which kept his legacy alive as one of the enduring bluesmen of his generation, until his passing on January 4, 2016.