Waters performed in neighborhood bars on
Chicago’s South Side, and soon decided he
needed something louder than an acoustic guitar
to cut through the noise of the clubs. He bought
his first electric guitar in 1944 and gained
national success in 1952 with “Rollin’ Stone,” his
first release with Chess Records, the
rhythm-and-blues label he worked with for the
next 25 years.

With his electric guitar, use of the metal slide and amplified ensemble style,
Waters pioneered the Chicago Blues style. Early hits included “I Can’t Be
Satisfied,” “I Feel Like Going Home,” and “Louisiana Blues.” Later
hits—“Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Got My Mojo Working”— remain blues
standards today.

With the success of his music career, Muddy Waters bought this two-flat at
4339 South Lake Park Avenue in 1954 and adapted the basement as
rehearsal room. For 20 years it was a gathering place for the greatest figures
of the Chicago Blues, and on warm summer evenings, they would often play
on the front lawn.