The Healer

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "The Healer" by the legendary John Lee Hooker from his iconic 1989 album of the same name! This track is a soul-stirring collaboration with Carlos Santana, blending Hooker’s raw Delta blues with Santana’s electrifying Latin rhythms. The song was recorded at The Plant in Sausalito, California, amidst stacks of Hooker’s old vinyl LPs, giving it a gritty, authentic vibe. The music video, filmed in a Chameleon warehouse in Hawthorne and live at The Palace nightclub in Hollywood, captures the mystical energy of their performance. Hooker himself said, “I don’t heal, but what I sing heals,” in a 1991 Newport Jazz Festival interview, reflecting the song’s spiritual depth. Fans on Amazon reviews call it a “spirit-invoking incantation,” with one listener noting how Santana’s guitar and Hooker’s vocals “bring you to your knees.” This track kicked off the album that revitalized Hooker’s career, earning him global acclaim at age 72.

Another juicy tidbit about "The Healer" is its role in setting a trend for guest-heavy blues albums. Produced by Roy Rogers of the Delta Rhythm Kings, the song features Santana’s band laying down a deep, Latin-tinged groove that perfectly complements Hooker’s emotive growl. According to Rolling Stone, the track’s production captures the “live-in-the-barroom, Fender-tube-amp quality of authentic blues.” The album’s success, with over a million copies sold, was boosted by this collaboration, which introduced Hooker to new audiences. A post from the official John Lee Hooker X account in September 2023 celebrated the album’s release, noting how it marked Hooker’s “initial step into the world” of blending his timeless blues with modern artists. Fans on Discogs rave about the “vivid, sparkling guitars” in the 45 RPM deluxe edition, though some noted issues with warped vinyl in certain pressings.

John Lee Hooker, born on August 22, 1917, near Clarksdale, Mississippi, grew up in a sharecropping family steeped in the Delta’s musical traditions. His stepfather, William Moore, a local blues musician, taught him guitar, shaping his distinctive, freewheeling style. Hooker credited Moore for his unique approach, which blended simple harmonies with intense, modal structures. As a teen, he performed at local gigs, catching the ear of record store owner Elmer Barbee. By 1943, Hooker moved to Detroit, where he honed his electric guitar-driven sound in smoky clubs. His 1948 hit “Boogie Chillen’” sold nearly a million copies, cementing his place as a blues pioneer. Hooker’s raw energy and primal vocals influenced rock icons like the Rolling Stones and the Animals, as noted on Britannica. He never slowed down, touring relentlessly and evolving with each decade until his passing in 2001.

For more on the King of the Boogie, check out the official John Lee Hooker website, packed with bio details and exclusive merch. Connect with fans on the John Lee Hooker Facebook page, where you’ll find posts about his legacy and album reissues. Follow the John Lee Hooker Instagram for rare photos and clips, like his 1989 Letterman performance of “Think Twice Before You Go.” The John Lee Hooker X account shares quotes and updates, keeping the blues alive. Join fan communities like the John Lee Hooker Fans Facebook group to swap stories and rare tracks. For vinyl hunters, Discogs’ John Lee Hooker page is a goldmine for collectors seeking “The Healer” and beyond. Keep it groovy, Zoo Freaks!