Sammy Lawhorn born 12 July 1935

Samuel David Lawhorn was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. His parents soon separated, and his mother remarried, leaving him in the care of his grandparents. He made his own diddley bow, nailing baling twine to the side of their house. He frequently visited his mother and stepfather in Chicago. When he began traveling to Chicago to visit his mother and stepfather, they noticed his interest in music and bought him his first real instrument, a ukulele, soon replaced by an acoustic guitar upon which he began performing sanctified church music. It wasn't the blues, yet he impressed his mother enough so that she shelled out the money to buy him an electric guitar. 

Sammy with Pinetops Perkins

It was over the next two years that he worked on his playing, even getting some pointers from the legendary Big Bill Broonzy. At 15 his professional career began, accompanying harmonica player Elmore Mickle, who used the stage name of Driftin' Slim. An even better harmonica player snatched him up, none other than Sonny Boy Williamson II, and the guitarist began playing on the King Biscuit Radio Show. Fellow Williamson sideman Houston Stackhouse was apparently the player who first taught Lawhorn the basics of slide guitar. 

From 1953-1958 Lawhorn was in the Navy, and found himself on a tour of Korea as an aerial photographer. During one of these missions he was wounded by enemy fire discharged. He relocated to Memphis in 1958, where he did recording sessions with players such as Roy Brown, Eddie Boyd, the Five Royales, and harmonica player Willie Cobbs, with whom a dispute arose over the writing credit to one of the most popular urban blues standards of all time, "You Don't Love Me." 

L-R: SP Leary, Sammy Lawhorn, James Cotton, Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Hubert Sumlin 1956

Lawhorn moved to Chicago in the late '50s after having his guitar stolen there on a visit, perhaps an expression of a philosophy that he would rather have his instruments stolen than his songs. Starting in the early '60s he was a regular sideman at the best Chicago blues clubs, playing with some of the top names, sitting in with Muddy Waters and edging toward the pinnacle of his profession (i.e. the position he eventually took over as second guitarist in the Waters band). He participated in many album releases with Waters, including sessions where the band backed up other great artists such as Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker, and Waters' longtime pianist sidekick, Otis Spann. 

Here's Sammy in Memphis around 1960-1961 playing "The Home Of The Blues" where he demonstrates all his technical skill.

While many blues guitarist bandleaders have used their second guitarists as simply rhythm or chordal players, Waters liked to work with players who had their own solo style, which in the case of Lawhorn included striking use of the tremolo or whammy bar. But, Sammy had a problem with alcohol. He was very seldom found without a pint in his pocket. 

Pee Wee Madison & Sammy 1973

It was not unusual for him to pass out at a table in a club, over an amplifier on stage, in the band's vehicles or to miss a show altogether. The problem grew to be too much for Muddy, who demanded that his band adhere to proper ethics. He fired Lawhorn in 1973, replacing him with 23-year-old Bob Margolin. But, Muddy was often heard to say that Lawhorn was the best guitarist he ever had in his band. 

Following his dismissal by Muddy, Lawhorn returned to the clubs of Chicago. He eventually took up residency as the house guitarist in the renowned Theresa's Lounge until its closing in the 1980s. The venue was a frequent stop for the best Blues musicians from everywhere and Lawhorn found himself even working alongside his childhood idols, T-Bone Walker and Lightnin' Hopkins. 

Sammy & John Primer

Occasionally over these years,   Sammy would be a much sought after sideman.  He was featured on the recordings of many musicians, most notably, James Cotton's "Take Me Back," Junior Wells'"On Tap", a handful by Koko Taylor, as well as with Jimmy Witherspoon, Wild Child Butler, Little Mac Simmons and L.C. Robinson.  And, he was a giving person as well, always willing to help anybody who wished to learn from him. One such artist who took advantage of Sammy's kindness was John Primer who became perhaps his greatest  protégé. 

(Edited from AllMusic, Blues Notes & Wikipedia)