In his early days although he struggled to work as a professional musician he was rediscovered by Willie Dixon in the 1950's and went on to record two influential albums and inspiring some of the new generation of blues players in the 1960's when he toured Europe, and performed in the American Folk Blues Festival in the UK.
Lenoir's music had direct political content relating to racism and later the Vietnam War. J.B. was tragically killed after being hit by a car.
As YouTube commenter Jaycee37 puts it, "hit by a car and sent home. Poor medical care, indifference, neglect! What a loss!"
Here is a photo collage accompanying "Vietnam Blues" sung as only JB could.
In 1967 John Mayall recorded "The Death of J.B. Lenoir" (LP "Crusade") after hearing of JB's sad end.
His aching vocal and haunting tune captures the tone and mood that many of Lenoir's followers felt.
Here's some brief but excellent 1960's footage reflecting on Mayall's song.
(possibly taken from the documentary "Living Blues" narrated by Morgan Freeman)
