A man, a guitar, and a chair. Pure and simple music a man can enjoy.

Just turned 60,I've been playing blues guitar since I was 16 thanks to this guy ,best music ever ,better than today's fabricated crap🎸

the fact that we have an opportunity to watch Lighnin Hopkins play live and many many others, I don´t think it can be appreciated enough. this man was the blues.

Cool as the other side of the pillow.

Played that so clean it killed 100% of the germs

This was why KZfaq was invented.Thanks for posting.

Every genre of rock owes itself to the blues and men like Lighting. Truly a legend.

Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker get all the glory, but Lightnin' Hopkins is one of my all-time favorite Blues vocalists and guitarists.

I had the great pleasure of playing bass for Lightnin' many many years ago, not to long before he died in Houston. It was a thrill.....

Was lucky to see him perform at the House of Blues in Dallas about 1972. That was the start of my lifelong fascination with the early blues artists like Mr. Hopkins.

The way lightnin walks the fingerboard is just legendary

He's so awesome being able to play those bass notes along with the melody so flawlessly. While singing.

Lightnin' Hopkins is truly one of a kind! One of the greatest characters in blues history!

His playing is more sophisticated than you'd think if you really take the time to watch and listen closely.

All my musician brothers and sisters, bow down before this greatness

His acoustic guitar sounds like an entire orchestra. Brilliant.

I believe this man has the blues.

The blues never will die

I tracked down that exact DeArmond pick up for my acoustic because of this man. Unfortunately it was broken so I spent 4 years repairing it and now it's perfect

99 years ago Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins was born on this day.. March 15, 1912. The day blues was born.. We respect all the blues greats but Lightnin' was one of a kind..

Nothing better than watching a man with his guitar

This is one of the greatest acoustic blues videos I've ever seen by one of the greatest acoustic blues performers I've ever seen. Lightning was untouchable, just way too cool, and he showed it in every song he played.

Honestly I don't know if MUSIC can get any better than this! Just love old Lightnin'!

Lighting Hopkins used to play on street corner in Houston when I was small child. I remember we would drive by park and go listen.

I was recently talking to some people in my family about going to see and hear Sam (Lightnin') Hopkins in 1980 at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach circa 1980. That was definitely a high point for me. I talked to his grand daughter (?) briefly after the show, and asked for his autograph on one of his albums that I had brought with me. She took it backstage to ask him. I think his eyesight was failing at the time. Anyway for whatever reason, he didn't sign it, but his cousin 'Hoppie' Hopkins, who had played some awesome harp in the show, did sign it and he was kind enough to talk to me a little. I still have the album with Hoppie's signature, a prized possession.

It's a great pleasure to realized so many peoples appreciated this guy just sitting on a chair with his guitar and just a micro.

The absolute best rendition of this song I have ever heard.

何回見ても何回聴いてもカッコいいですね！

That's the real thing right there ,never to be repeated

You may not credit this story, but I swear it is the truth. I was at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, 1970 I believe, and Lightnin Hopkins was playing the event. I forged a press pass to get back into the area where the artists were. There, sitting on a chair in the sun, was Lightnin' Sam Hopkins. I had loved him for years, and there he was. I walked up to him and shook his hand, thanking him for bringing so much great music to us. He smiled and said. "Thank you, Preacher." (I don't know why he called me preacher - I certainly bore no resemblance to one). I had purchased a pint of whisky, which was unopened in a brown paper bag I was carrying. I proffered it to Lightnin', who took it with a smile. He uncapped it and took a nice taste. Then he said, "Preacher, you see that fine woman over there?" I looked over and saw Willie Mae Thornton talking with a couple of guys. I said, "That's Big Mama Thornton." He said, "Yassuh, you go over and tell that fine, big-legged woman to come over here." I thought whoa, just walk up to Big Mama and say that. But Lightnin' had said, so over I went. As I walked up to her, she looked at me and scowled. I said, "Willie Mae Thornton. Lightnin' Sam Hopkins told me to come over here and tell you he wants you to come over there." She snorted contemptuously. "You tell Sam Hopkins if he wants me to come over, he should come over here and ax me hisself." I said, "Please Ma'am, just give me the honor of escorting you over there." She looked over at Lightnin', who smiled a big smile, held up the pint, wiggling it back and forth. I looked at Big Mama, and bent my elbow so she could take my arm. She refused it but said, "All right. Let's go." We walked over and Lightnin' handed her the pint. She inverted it over her head and took a serious pull, then handed it back. Lightnin' took a pull and said, "Preacher, seeing as how you are a preacher, I want you to marry this lady and me." Big Mama laughed, but I could tell she was somehow pleased. So right there, on the spot, I began speaking the wedding vows to Lightnin' Hopkins and Wille Mae Thornton. "I do. I do." "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." "The hell he can", said Big Mama. She snatched the pint and took another pull. She started to walk away and said, "You ain't never getting none of this." Lightnin' watched her walk away, an expression of amused tenderness on his face. We talked for a couple more minutes, and that was that. I have no idea how such a thing ever happened, let alone to me. Right place, right time, I guess. I happened to be there, and Lightnin' struck, as you might say.

This is the peak of stylishly effortless musicianship with a dash of zero fucks given.

I could listen to Lightnin’ Hopkins all night and sometimes do. My big brother gave me a Lightnin’ album when I was 12 and it was life-altering. Understand, this was 1962. The local station was playing Bobby Rydell and Fabian. This music was so different it could have been piped in from Neptune. Took about three times playing it for me to be all in. Still am.

Guys like Lightnin' lived the Blues. Todays artists just play it.

Lightnin' was a Blues guitar SHREDDER! His timing is unreal.

I love the way he treats his guitar

This is one of the most badass things I've ever seen

His version is my favorite. I've heard probably 20 versions old and newer and his is just the slickest most awesome version.

Yes, it's gold✌️

Great performance, but in all honesty I'm not persuaded that Lightning gives much of a shit whether Baby goes or not...

I love these old timers singing the blues because the way they're recorded makes them sound like the blues so good. Good music to really get that soul feeling in you.

I envy how easy he makes it look. Man was born to play the guitar and write timeless music

Loved the blues as a kid. 63 years old and still love it🎶🎶. Worked and promoted all kinds of music for record companies. But still get a high from the blues.

Greatest blues musician ever.

That's the happiest Gibson in town, that night.

Man I love this kind music. You can hear the emotion in his voice. Plus you gotta respect a guy that can play an acoustic like this.

Proudly saying this is my peoples contribution to the greatest of American history And society.

This makes me miss my grandpa even more RIP Herbert Hoover White 1932-2012 love and missed dearly by the whole fam

These people that make this music, like this fellow, or Howling Wolf, to me they are immortal.

One of the best on the acoustic guitar. My brother used to imitate him on the guitar, but there was only one Lightin Hopkins.

I saw him in the late 60s at the Esquire Show Bar (no longer in existence) in Montreal. Being short of dough, I nursed 2 beers over 2 or 3 sets that must have lasted 3 hours or so. He was simply great. His wife sat at a table by herself the whole time.

I wish I could have spoken to, touched, learned from this legend!

He plays the parts of two guitars effortlessly and awesomely!

Saw him in the 60s in a joint on either Westheimer or Richmond in Houston. He was sitting in a chair, just like this, and he had his pint bottle sitting under the chair. . . . Love it. .

Today i discovered Lightning Hopkins. Looking for a rendition of Baby Please Dont Go. Blew my heart apart. So pure.

I got to open for Lightnin' in Seattle 'bout 1969. I offered him a drink and his manager held his hand across to say "no". Guess that was part of his job. Later my friend, who was bartending, said he took something up to Lightning's room. Good memory.

Pure class.

I'm watching what he's playing while singing at the same time. Anyone who's ever tried to play the guitar is in awe. Damn!

Greatest guitarists to me one of greatest musicians of all time to me

I've never met Lightnin. His music was way way before my time, and when Lightnin passed on 1982, I was only 6. But honestly, I'm an obsessed Lightnin Hopkins fan. It's word how you can miss and have the blues about someone you've never met before. With that said, I miss you Lightnin.

That process is just smooth as his guitar playing 🎸

Great song, brilliant guitarist, blues legend.

A Great Blues legend

I could watch this on mute and still feel it.

I was a teen in the early Sixties when I found a Lightnin' Hopkins LP record in a discount bin. I about wore that record out listening, it opened up a new world for me, influenced my emerging guitar skills. Although I have performed in about every genre, you can still hear Lightnin' influence on me today.

This is great

This guy is amazing, his songs, beautiful blues, remember I put a spell on you! People are still covering that great song, one of the greats ❤ 😂 🎉

If you’ve ever heard the saying he could play guitar like a ringing a bell, well this folks is that

Big thanks to the cameraman getting such a good shot of the hands

The roots of rock music right here.

Oh yes! More please! ❤

Old Lightin is one F'ing cool dude...! Blues man..!! The best

Lightnin Hopkins, not a known giver of fucks.

Somebody please explain why people care so much about the number of dislikes. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I love Lightning Hopkins and I couldn't care less who doesn't.

in this old blues, i have bayou and Mississippi in my bedroom , sure that is my vision from true BLUES! thanks u.s.a.new Orléans.jackyfan 👍true fan!!!!!lightnin hopkins 👍👍👍👍legend merci ! honnor and respect from black people résistant from white oppression in u.s.a.

Smooth like apricot jam 😎

Coolest version I've ever heard. Great guitar work. total badass.

Share these early good blues always, more people need to hear quality, soulful, and heartfelt music!!

One of the greatest ever.

I love his music because you can hear the lysis as well as the guitar strumming. it’s so original and authentic blues for me, thank you for the music in you Lightening Hopkins, your a legend in my book.

I like how he's all over the neck with both hands.

is this The coolest person that has ever existed on the planet earth. Yes, obviously he is a super badass musician. But also, the glasses , the shirt buttoned up, the cardigan, combined with his awesome guitar work, acoustic. This is the pinnacle of cool . The name, Lightning.

Never gets old.

Beautiful and Beautiful!

It doesn't get any better than this. Unless you simply watch more Lightnin' videos!

one of the coolest people ever : )

Wonderful work 👏 👌 and fantastic to listen to once again in2024 luvs luvs and more ❤️ 🎉😊😂

May Lightnin's legacy continue to grow as time goes by.

Great song. Classic.

I love this rendition. Thanks for posting it.

This is truly masterful. The rhythm and timing are impeccable. 🌹❤️

Great Artist.

Less is more. Ella singing bar tunes with just a piano.....Janos Starker playing the Bach solo cello stuff....Fischer-Diskau doing the Schubert lieder....and Lightnin' hitting that old guitar. This is the essence of the blues. Simply sublime.

I think even his guitar was tapping it's foot.

There has to be 100 renditions of this song on the tube, Mr Hopkins version will always be my favorite, and I try to play it true to his rendition,,rest in peace sir.

The personification of cool 😎

This is so beautiful. I have no other words to describe it.

Sweet sound of soulful blues. Great post, thanks for the share. Great stuff you never hear nothing like it anymore. Yeeeeeesssssssssssssss.

Glad to see this was viewed 2.5 million times. There is hope.

Who needs a band with such performance hell yeah!

He's so cool! I will be studying this great talent further.