Hooker, Samudio inducted into Memphis Music Hall of Fame

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Bluesman John Lee Hooker, rock ‘n’ roll frontman Sam “The Sham” Samudio and opera singer Marguerite Piazza are being inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, soul singer-composer William Bell and the Hi Records Rhythm Section also were announced Thursday as the hall’s newest members. They will be honoured at a Nov. 1 ceremony.

All 60 inductees of the hall have strong connections to Memphis.

Hooker, the master of the “boogie” blues style, lived in Memphis for a time. Lloyd was born in Memphis, and Piazza lived in the city for 50 years.

Samudio’s group, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, recorded “Wooly Bully” in Memphis.

Bell worked at Stax Records, and The Hi Rhythm Section backed Al Green and others at Hi Records.