Entertainment
Bay Area Musician Makes History
By Tommy Garrett
Jan 18, 2009 - 4:58:53 PM

Bluesman turned animated superhero, John Lee Hooker Jr., is celebrating the inauguration of the first African American president, Barack Obama with the release of his second animated video, “The People Want a Change” from his Grammy nominated CD, “All Odds Against Me.” Presented by his own Steppin’ Stone Records and the Paris, France based Callicor Productions, the animation offers a ringing message of hope and redemption as the world at large embraces a climate for change under the direction of President-elect Barack Obama.

"The People Want a Change" is a rocking blues anthem expressing society's frustration with the current economic, political and financial upheavals. The video animation captures the lyrics in vivid black and white pictorials, with Hooker, Jr. soldiered by not only Obama, but peace icons Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.

Hooker initially broke blues barriers with his first animated video release, “Blues ain‘t Nothing but a Pimp” from the same CD. The animation, also created by Frenchman Laurent Mercier at the Callicore Animation Studios in Paris, has been embraced by hip hop audiences worldwide and has successfully served to bridge the generation gap between the two musical genres. With "The People Want a Change," Hooker, Jr. captures the sentiments of citizens worldwide with a universal message and vision for peace and hope.

"With the inauguration of the next president on the horizon, "The People Want a Change" became the perfect vehicle to express what we have all been feeling," explains John Lee Hooker, Jr. "The blues has always been about getting to the root of what a man or woman is going through, the anguish and the joy. I am so proud of this video. And the fact that it was created by my fellow French brother, all the way in Paris, it just goes to show how universal the message is and how excited the world is about our new president, President Barack Obama!"

2009 is starting off on a high note for Hooker, Jr. He has been recognized for a second Grammy nomination in the Best Traditional Blues Album category with "All Odds Against Me," and just returned home from a successful international tour. As the son of blues icon, John Lee Hooker, John Lee Hooker, Jr. is continuing a legacy while creating his own.

Speaking exclusively with Tommy Garrett of Canyon News and San Francisco News, the Bay area musician and animator who proudly admits to being the son of Detroit Blues Icon John Hooker, spoke of how Obama’s win has changed his attitude. Hooker said, “It means several things...that I don't view America as I used to and that is they aren't fair as far as giving other minorities a chance of holding the greatest and most important job in the US. It tells me this country has changed to the better...and that God is the One who sets kings on their throne not men.” When asked if he’d ever met the newly President-elect, John Hooker told his interviewer, “No never met him I am inspired by him, however, that is why we made the animation a tribute to his presidency — that is us bearing gifts to our new African American King our gratitude to God for sitting him on the throne this was my first time in 50 years to ever vote because all the other times...I felt it was and will be...status quo same old same old here we go again.”

Hooker is very open and spoke honestly about his past problems with drugs, alcohol and the law. Readily admitting that he had grown up in a very structured and good home back in Detroit, his father was one of the most respected Blues performers in the nation, who taught his son the value of honesty and hard work. But John Lee, Jr. decided to take a different path, but has come full circle.

But Hooker brightened up on this cold foggy day in the San Francisco Bay area when I asked him about his newest project. A labor of love, which John Lee Hooker, Jr. told me, “Well we have just released a 'tribute animation' for Barack Obama recently we finished a CD, ‘All odds against me,’ which I am sure you know was nominated for a Grammy. I guess right now we are trying to wait and see what happens after all the promotion/marketing/PR work [and] touring; there are always some results when you work hard. It’s like when you plant seeds during the winter: you water, you work the earth, you wait on sunshine and rain and then you gather the fruits in which the tree should bear.”

John Lee Hooker, Jr. is an inspiration to young musicians and has a broadening audience every day. For news on the talented musician and also to view the animation "The People Want a Change" go to www.JohnLeeHookerJr.com.