You name it, this father, grandfather and great grandfather has done it. From traditional blues to jazz to funk and his own original combinations of them all, this wise, but modest guitar great is a true gem to the world of music. Full of stories, great memories and global trips, Robert Lockwood Jr. is permanently recognized as a legend at the House of Blues in Chicago, has received countless awards and accolades, has visited the White House and has a street named after him. His down to earth demeanor and Southern roots make for lively and honest conversation, which Benjamin Rose is pleased to share with you here.

How did you first get interested in music?
In the beginning, I wanted to be a fighter. I got a ruptured eardrum. I kept fighting. My ears would ring and I got sick of that. My father was afraid I would lose the other ear. So I quit fighting. It didn't take me long to realize it was stupid in the first place.

I started playing the organ at 8 years old. I went from the organ to the guitar at age 13. From the guitar, I've played all the way to now. I had a couple of second cousins who played the piano. I learned what they were playing. Then Robert Johnson followed my mama home and she couldn't get rid of him and I'm glad she didn't. Every time he set his guitar down, I'd pick it up. So he finally said to me, "Damn, boy, you want to learn how to play?" I said, "I sure do." So he said "o.k." He'd show me something two times, that's all. Never more than twice. I was on him. He'd go off and play, be back in a couple of months and everything he was playing, I'd be playing. He showed me the way. He was an influence on all people who learn the blues.

I started playing professionally at 14. I dropped out of school at 15. My first performance was for fifty cents. At that time, my mother was making $3 a week and I could make $9 a week so I stopped my mother from working. I recorded in 1940 and then I really started taking care of my mama. I never had stage fright. I was lucky to start playing with the older people. Robert Johnson was way ahead of his time and he put me way ahead of my time. He was the only guitar player I paid any attention.

My people were originally from St. Louis. So I was exposed to many cities in the south. I lived in St. Louis. I lived in Arkansas and Memphis. I had that variety all my life. It's in my music.

What were your first recordings?
Take a Little Walk with Me. Little Boy Blue and Train My Baby. Me and Black Spider Blues. Since then, I can't count how many recordings I've made. I've recorded on a lot of labels. Now I have my own recording company.

How did you deal with fame and people recognizing you and expecting things from you as a musician and celebrity?
It never meant anything to me because I've been in that bracket all my life. In the beginning, I was too young to even pay it any attention. People approach me and I talk to them. The people belong to me and I belong to the people.

How do you feel about being in the category of a senior citizen?
I've been a senior citizen for a long time. I feel lucky. Age ain't nothin' but a number, that's all. Getting older should be fascinating because you're supposed to be wiser. The older you get, the more you learn. I don't think I'll ever stop playing music because there's no problem for me to play. I play better now than when I was 16. So why should I quit? I'm very glad to have the chance to do some of the things that I am doing. The guys in my band are 40 years old. They're on cloud nine because they're with me.

What makes successful aging?
Keep up with activities of daily living. Proper rest. Try not to worry 'bout nothin'. Eat well. I do knee bends. I do push-ups. Keep movin'. I just don't give up. That's what's made me who I am.

Is touring at this age any different now that when you were younger?
It doesn't bother me to do it. As far as playing, I don't know how old I'll be when I can't play. I've been all over Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada--I can't begin to remember how many performances I've had in all these years. My wife went all over the world with me. I lost my wife 2 years ago. We were married for 39 years. We were together 10 years before that. She was pretty stable. She was one of the greatest. She knew what she wanted.

What made your marriage successful?
Both of us felt respect in the same way. All that arguing and fighting is dumb. I see people do it everyday. How stupid is it for people to get married and then hate each other? What a waste of time! Doesn't make sense. You've got to teach your mate what you know.

What inspires you to give back to the community?
Well, I do it because I can. It's right. Everything I got, I got the hard way. The hard way. I had such a hard time when I first started. Musicians giving me a hard time. Telling me I was nobody. I didn't brag and tell them "well I'm Robert Lockwood Jr." Everytime B.B. King came into town, he'd invite me to the show. I'd go because he expected me too. He'd call me out in the grandstand and tell people how I'd taught him. Later, people would ask me if I really taught B.B. They'd want to know why he wouldn't give me a job. I'd tell them that I was my own band leader. Then they'd find me in blues books. "No big deal," I'd say. I wasn't threatened by them.

You have to find out who you are if you want to be successful. Once you find who you are, then you choose your mate. It's you and your mate against the whole world. Those people talking don't mean nothin' in the first place. You have to know that.

What advice might you give to a young musician?
I'd tell them no drugs. If you can't handle alcohol, don't drink it. Bottom line is you play. A lot of people can't handle fame. I was lucky. When I started playing, I was playing with people who were old enough to be my grandfather 'cause I was so far ahead of my time. It kept me straight. I had someone to coach me and I always listened to people. If I saw someone make a mistake I'd know that people were right in their words to me.

What do you do to relax?
I play checkers for recreation, but I really relax when I write songs and arrange them. I come up with a lot of things that other people have never heard. I don't listen to the radio. It's too confusing to me as a musician. My repertoire is so wide. I play jazz, I play blues, funk, whatever. I thank God for being so generous. Nothing is more exciting to me than playing. I've been doing it all my life.

What an inspiration you are to us all! Benjamin Rose is grateful for your thoughts!