William James "Willie" Dixon was a well-known American blues bassist, singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer. His songs, including "Little Red Rooster", "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "I Just Want to Make Love to You", written during the peak of Chess Records (1950-1965). Next to Muddy Waters, he was the most influential person in shaping the post-World War II sound of the Chicago blues. He was also an important link between the blues and rock and roll, working with Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley in the late-1950s, and his songs were covered by some of the biggest stars of the 1960s and 1970s, including Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Doors and the Grateful Dead.
Dixon signed to Chess Records as a recording artist, but began performing less and became more involved with the label. By 1951, he was a full time employee at Chess where he acted as producer, A&R talent scout, session musician, and staff songwriter.
He also worked with blues legends such as Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and Memphis Slim. He appears on many of Chuck Berry's early recordings, further proving his linkage between the blues and the birth of rock and roll.
Dixon was inducted at the inaugural session of the Blues Foundation's ceremony, into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980. He was also granted a Grammy Award in 1989 for his album, Hidden Charms.