Willie Dixon's story is one of success, both commercially and artistically, in the field of the blues. He became known as one of the most talented songwriters and bassists in the industry--but not without a fight. No musician is a true bluesman without blues to sing, and there was plenty throughout Dixon's long journey to national recognition.

Dixon was born in Vicksburg, MS, in 1915. He was a talented singer, and as a teenager was already performing gigs and writing songs for local bands. His two passions were music and boxing, but after moving to Chicago and winning the Illinois State Golden Gloves Heavyweight Championship, he focused on music instead. He would play with numerous bands before finally becoming the bassist for the legendary Muddy Waters. The Chess brothers noticed his talent, and brought him on board for a new label they were forming called Aristocrat. Naturally, this became the infamous blues label Chess Records.

He would become a sought-after songwriter, penning "Hoochie Coochie Man" for Muddy Waters and the haunting "Evil" for Howlin' Wolf. The Chess brothers were tireless advocates of his songwork, constantly encouraging artists to use his material. But he was paid a pittance in return--about $100 a week for a man with a growing family. Throughout the U.S. and England, young musical artists who would go on to become the rock icons of the '60s would soon discover Dixon's work, and exposed it to new audiences as they became famous.

Several relationships with record labels were soured as they sued to recover royalties on behalf of Dixon's work, but gave him mere fractions of the amounts they won. By the '80s, he was one of the few surviving members of Chess Records, and worked hard to ensure that other blues artists like himself received the royalties they deserved from their work. He also earned more appreciation for the solo work he sporadically released throughout his career.

After fighting poor health, he died at home in his sleep in 1992.