Willie D Warren
Willie D Warren was born on 11/09/1924 in Stamps, Arkansas. When he was 13, he and his family moved to Lake Village, Arkansas. He was taught by Caleb King how to play the guitar. Warren would play in his own blues ensemble around the Mississippi Delta. The singer in the ensemble was Guitar Slim, who was taught guitar playing techniques by Warren. In the late 1940s, the ensemble toured around Louisiana.In the early 1950s, Warren moved to Chicago. In Chicago, he joined Otis Rush's band. He would play alongside Freddie King and Jimmy Reed. Warren would also back Morris Pejoe on tracks Pejoe recorded for Chess Records.
In 1959, Warren formed the group the House Rockers.
In the early 1970s, Warren moved to Detroit to work and record with Bobo Jenkins.
From 1974 to 1976, Warren was a featured performer with the Progressive Blues Band along with Baby Boy Warren (no relation).
In 1977, Baby Boy Warren died and Willie took up the frontman position in the band. Also in 1977, Warren recorded his debut album. It was released on Jenkins' Big Star label.
Warren would write the lyrics to "Door Lock Blues" and "Detroit Jump" which would be recorded by Jenkins for his "Detroit All Purpose Blues" album. Warren's songs would also appear on compilation albums.
In his career, Warren worked with Al Benson, Little Sonny Cooper and David Honeyboy Edwards amongst others.
On 30/12/2000, Warren died in Detroit.
In 2005, Warren's live album "Live" was posthumously released by No Cover Productions. Warren's backing band Mystery Train would include his friend Jim McCarty.
In 2011, The Detroit Blues Society posthumously awarded Warren with their Lifetime Achievement Award.