Lightnin' Hopkins

Acting

Lightnin' Hopkins

Born March 15, 1912 · Centerville, Texas

Died January 30, 1982 · aged 69

Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist from Centerville, Texas. In 2010 Rolling Stone magazine ranked him No. 71 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Known For

This Ain't No Mouse Music!This Ain't No Mouse Music! · 2014
This Ain't No Mouse Music!
★ 7.02014
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Loving, music-filled tribute to Chris Strachwitz, guiding force behind legendary roots music label Arhoolie Records. With Ry Cooder, Clifton Chenier, Richard Thompson, Flaco Jiménez and a new generation of roots musicians.
Be Here to Love MeBe Here to Love Me · 2004
Be Here to Love Me
★ 7.12004
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Chronicles the fascinating and often turbulent life of Townes Van Zandt.
Lightnin' LesLightnin' Les · 1968
Lightnin' Les
★ 5.01968
Movie
In this short film, blues musician Lightnin’ Hopkins performs an improvised song inspired by a card game he played with filmmaker Les Blank and producer Skip Gerson during the production of "The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins".
Six Short Films of Les Blank (1960-1985)Six Short Films of Les Blank (1960-1985) · 1985
Six Short Films of Les Blank (1960-1985)
1985
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Anthology of six short films, including: Dizzy Gillespie Chicken Real Cigarette Blues God Respects Us When We Work, But Loves Us When We Dance Running Around Like A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off The Sun’s Gonna Shine
Blues like Showers of RainBlues like Showers of Rain · 1970
Blues like Showers of Rain
★ 8.01970
MovieMusicDocumentary
This film by John Jeremy grew from photographs and field recordings made by Paul Oliver on a journey through the South in 1960. Oliver, a British architectural historian who devoted years to researching African American blues, memorialized the journey also in his 1963 book Conversation with the Blues. The film includes the voices and music of Blind James Brewer, James “Butch” Cage, Gus Cannon, Walter Davis, Blind Arvella Gray, Sam “Lightnin” Hopkins, James “Stump” Johnson, Lonnie Johnson, J. B. Lenoir, Charles Love, “Little Brother” Montgomery, James Oden, Edwin Buster Pickens, Sam Price, Robert Curtis Smith, Otis Span, Willie Thomas, Henry Townsend, Wade Walton, and others unidentified.
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 2The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 2 · 2003
The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966, Vol. 2
2003
MovieMusicDocumentary
Taken from the European tours organised for American blues musicians between 1962 and 1969, this release features performances by several popular blues artists, including: T-Bone Walker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Victory Spivey, T-Bone Walker ...
The American Folk Blues Festival: The British Tours 1963-1966The American Folk Blues Festival: The British Tours 1963-1966 · 2007
The American Folk Blues Festival: The British Tours 1963-1966
★ 7.02007
MovieMusic
In 1962, a group of legendary American blues musicians embarked on a series of tours to the United Kingdom. Footage from these classic concerts, which feature the likes of Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, Junior Wells and more, are collected here. Blues fans will relish appearances by Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lonnie Johnson, Big Joe Williams, Big Joe Turner, Otis Rush ...
The Sun's Gonna ShineThe Sun's Gonna Shine · 1969
The Sun's Gonna Shine
★ 6.91969
MovieDocumentaryMusic
A lyrical recreation of Lightnin’ Hopkins’ decision at age eight to stop chopping cotton and start singing for a living. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.

Filmography

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Blues like Showers of RainBlues like Showers of Rain · 1970
Blues like Showers of Rain
★ 8.01970
MovieMusicDocumentary
This film by John Jeremy grew from photographs and field recordings made by Paul Oliver on a journey through the South in 1960. Oliver, a British architectural historian who devoted years to researching African American blues, memorialized the journey also in his 1963 book Conversation with the Blues. The film includes the voices and music of Blind James Brewer, James “Butch” Cage, Gus Cannon, Walter Davis, Blind Arvella Gray, Sam “Lightnin” Hopkins, James “Stump” Johnson, Lonnie Johnson, J. B. Lenoir, Charles Love, “Little Brother” Montgomery, James Oden, Edwin Buster Pickens, Sam Price, Robert Curtis Smith, Otis Span, Willie Thomas, Henry Townsend, Wade Walton, and others unidentified.

Himself (voice)