LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS - The Last Concert | Full Album (1981) 

As a teenage vagabond musician I hitched a ride with a black truck driver (about 1970) from Wildwood, Florida. As we started out he put in an 8 track tape. "Hey Lighting Hopkins." I yelled over the pounding roar of the diesel. "How a white boy like you know Lightning Hopkins?" "He's one of my heroes." I said. "He's my uncle" the driver said. Later when we stopped to eat I saw on the door of his Allied Van Jimmy Hopkins... He was indeed Lighting's nephew.

I am Mexican.First time o hear the blues I was 13 years old in Mexico City and I fall in love for this beautiful music since then.And I have the privilege to see all this guys in concert 2 years on the road in the Auditorium National of Mexico City.Muddy waters, John lee hoker , B B king , Coco Taylor , Sonny Terry and Browny Mc guee , Sony Boy Williamson , and many more.That was in 1979 and 1981.Thank God for let me be witness of this event in my life.

I'm almost in tears listening to this, because artists like litnin Hopkins were the true innovators of all modern music and they've been swept under the rug and forgotten about. This is so beautiful to listen to. Thank you for putting this out there!

I am 77 years old but 25 in my heart. I remember some of these songs when I danced with my husband. He would be 100 years old this year. I miss him but I have wonderful memories.

I been listening to Lightnin for 50 years; he is the master of the blues.

I dreamed I was rich Woke up without a dime I dreamed I loved a woman But you know that woman was not mine

I was there. Legend.

Thank GOD someone recorded this last epic show... rest in peace Sam...

Many years ago, I walked into this old music store for the first of many times to come. Baltimore's Walker's Music Store. The front of the shop was where you could listen to old recordings in sound booths. 33 and 78 spedd tecords. They had all the early blues guys. Pretty much everything from the early times to current 1950s records. It was blues history heaven. Back of the store was sheet music. They had a lot, and could get anything you wanted. If you could read music, this was treasure. Second floor had the string instrument room. A giant glass enclosed cabinet protected a fine collection. Some new, many old. A few ancient ones. Guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins, violins... If you visited often, you could hear some amazing music. If you hung out, you might get to play with some really fine musicians. Old guys and new. I was lucky to find my first serious guitar in this room. A '52 les paul. It was pretty beat, but sounded so good. Third floor was the music rooms. They offered classes, if you had the money. An old upright honkey tonk piano sat up there. Occasionally, you'd hear someone playing it. There was an old black painted set of pearl drums up there in one room. Pre-WWII symbols. Small kit, but perfect. I heard Charlie Watts play them one night. Memorable. Mr. Fred Walker's Music Store was a haven for musicians of all kinds. I loved my time there; it's where I fell in love with blues and jazz music. The old musicians were always willing to share music.

The blues is the universal thing, i'm from Finland and i heard Lightnin' for the first time when i was about sixteen years old in the early 80's and been listening to him ever since. He's the greatest. :-)

We need to keep the blues alive.Forver!

I was walking out of a convenient store and saw a CD on the rack and said that must be some awesome blues. It had a picture of Lightnin’ Hopkins on the cover. A totally random act and purchase. That was 25 years ago. I put it in my CD player and was amazed and loved him ever since.

I think Thelonious Monk probably said it best..."A Genius is the one most like himself"... Lightnin Hopkins voice and guitar are completely the heart and soul of Sam Hopkins..

I was there at Tramps. it was a club off Union Square. If I recall correctly, Hopkins did 6 sets, two a night for three nights. I caught two sets. Thirty-nine years ago. Wow.

My absolute favourite!!! Love to Lightnin`🙂 I listen to Lightnin` every day. Now I learn my granddaughter, 8 months old, to appreciate the real thing: The Blues!

Listen to the sustain and wonderful tone he produces effortlessly... similar to the way he effortlessly connects with his audience by the end of the second song and builds on that connection between each song. Im not certain i could have lived the life he did and come out of it able to bond with an audience in such an honest, open and light hearted manner. Lightning Hopkins remains a true American treasure, what a talented muscian and down to earth individual.

Very cool. Lightnin for me was that cool Uncle that taught me how to play guitar and taught me the admiration of a big Black Caddilac, with them white wall tires...

This is why I have mad respect for these cats. Not even Throat/Larynx Cancer could hold lightnin' down. He sounds so tired and sick, but only true bluesmen understand that this music is healing. No matter what you got going on, the blues can always help ease ones problems. Thank you Mr. Hopkins, inspiring as hell...

Definitely one of the greatest Bluesmen of all time! He was in a class of his own & also a class act. Nothing like this around today. RIP Lightnin' you are sorely missed by all.

I was lucky enough to get tickets for this show. Tramps was The hangout for rockers then. MinkdeVille , Keith Richards, etc.

Sou brasileiro , Pantanal MS, Hopkins , agradecemos sua existência na terra !

Musicans were really backing him up, you can feel the respect and comprehension behind him. Thanks for sharing

God bless you and rest in peace big man. What a soothing tone this man has, and I say ‘has’ cause his voice and music are eternal

I’m a harmonica player, but wished this one, stayed home this night

Lightnin' Hopkins - Master of LIFE !

He was the number one and the best blues man ever. R.I.P Lightnin

The Best Bluesman.

this is the most beautiful thing i’ve ever heard

This is the music that got me started over 60 years ago. This and Howlin' Wolf's Smokestack Lightnin'...

I was born at the right time to hear this ...

Never heard him play like this. Lots more improvisation than usual. Awesome!

THIS is blues! Thank you Lightnin!!!!!!!!

This is an incredible recording no doubt and the musicians on it are great I love this recording. That said Lightnin's best recordings don't have any band. The man was a band unto himself! His soloing style is my very favorite, especially when he was playing without a band. There ain't nobody like Lightnin' around today.

I first heard Lightnin Hopkins on the Down South Summit LP, with Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry and Big Joe Williams. I saw Lightnin live in a small Cafe in Berkeley, with Sonny Terry. Monumental

If there's any body out there can make you feel and love the blues.lightin Hopkins could.he was just that good.his singing was out this world and his picking that guitar was insanely great.may God rest his soul.see you later lighting Hopkins but never good bye

Grande Maestro.... Straordinario eccellenza...2023

They don't make men like Sam Lightnin Hopkins anymore. Lightnin was through with cool before anyone knew what to do with cool. Lightnin once said: "The Blues is something that the people's can't get rid of because the Blues is kinda hard to explain. Sorry of like death. But whenever you have a dad said feeling about your girl left you, your broke. Man, you can tell the whole wide world you ain't got nothin but the Blues." If I could say one thing to Lightnin it would be that I want to say thank you for inspiring me to pick up the guitar.

If there's any body out there can make you feel and love the blues.lightin Hopkins could.he was just that good.his singing was out this world and his picking that guitar was insanely great.may God rest his soul.see you later lighting Hopkins but never good bye .

2019 and this still speaks to me.. That says something..

Last jam sounds like Hendrix woke up this morning found myself dead, R.I.P. beautiful lighting

Iconic blues musician

Nobody plays the blues like him.. the true link between rocknroll and blues... and with no credit in the new generations..

Thank you so much for spreading the art of Hopkins. Was such an huge influencer of actually everything we know in the music industry today. Never forget him. Cheers

A True Man of The Blues! Everybodies Blues! Soak your Soul in the Best of the Best Liniment and your Pain Disappears! Lightin Hopkins will not be replaced in this Cruel World. Lord Shine your Sun on this Blues Genius Forever!

What The Masterpiece !

brilliant, great post love and peace jve

Lightin was 69 years old in 1982 when he died in houston texas his home town of esophageal cancer. A protege of Blind Lemon Jefferson, and A Pure Texas Treasure. Sadly missed . definitely my favorite musician.

the sun gonna shine on our life...some days.

Lightnin fue un excelente maestro del blues ,y es un honor escuchar èsta su ùltima actuaciòn. Soy un fanàtico de su mùsica y es ,para mì, uno de los màs grandes intèrpretes del blues. Gracias por permitirme escuchar parte de su gran obra!!!.

This was my first time stumbling upon his music. Kept me hooked for the full video.

Absolute legend

Old Sam “Lightnin’ has his mojo foeva’ mo’!

I'm so proud of my taste in music

Of all the records I own that have changed my life, by far one of the most influential is Hopkin's live from the bird cage theatre.

Please know somebody the other players? Its the best i heard from him (and had many lps) What a gem!!! I'm speechless..what a testament ! Thank you my dear friend. God bless you

I haven't listened to Lightnin' in years! I've got a fantastic tape of him lurking in my home state across the Atlantic. Some vital and living music from one of the bards of the blues.

Yup - its here - its in his feel - its in the emotional connections we hear between songs - everyone deeply in it. Thank you for sharing this recording - it is indeed an important one. These are the creators in every mode and style we creating today go to for inspiration so we can evolve the art to reflect us in the present imagining a better future for more of us. Music has always guided our evolution and when our brave musical innovators stop evolving music so will we as humans stop evolving in my humble opinion.

ligthning hopkins is awesome

4:41 - Profound. Thanks Mr. LH; I've listen your music and poetry in the last 35 years. (thanks to Blues Café for this treasure).

This is gold. Thanks man.

And furthermore I grew up listening to Clapton (I remember exactly when I was the first time I walked in to his talent). I also saw Hendrix and all those great 60s bands, but yes I learned so much from Lighting. As a friend of mine said keep it tasteful. As a footnote, Peter Green. Saw Fleetwood once in a pub The Swan in Crystal Palace south London, UK y’all. I left with my ears ringing.

I think it took me all this time to love the lyrics the most!

Great performance ))

Awesome last show Lightnin!

Proof positive that no matter how fast you can "shred" pentatonic scales, you ain't Sam Hopkins. Lightning really was one of the very best.

Jimi and you on my heart.... R. I. P my heros. 🌹💐🎸👏🎼🌈🙏🌷... Jimi 56 Verona

oh man, thanks! how have I not heard this? 61 days before he died? goddamn.

Thanks for this. It's absolutely a great concert by my favorite blues singer, who grew up 12 miles and a world away from my mother...

No Classicjam, they’re not forgotten. Just saw 2 docos in my little town of Aotearoa NZ tonight, one about Manche Lipscomb and another one about Lightnin. I’ve known Lightnin Hopkins since the 80s myself thanks to my bluesy boyfriend at the time. The movie theatre was packed tonight!

cant believe i just got here!

Everyone talks about the Three Kings of The Blues, BB, Freddie and Albert and of COURSE they are in their own right but if you want to FEEL the Blues hit you in your chest you need Po’ Lightnin’, Johnny Lee, The Wolf and THE Godfather himself The Muthafuckin’ Mud!

I named my son Sam after Lightnin'

TX knows somethin' bout the Blues!

Had not been listening lighting for about ten years ago his music draw me in he could slow the blues and down and speed them up

To think guys like this were self taught. Brilliant

Masterpiece

Those that disliked this can go on a one way trip to hell. Hopkins is one of the greats.

NOW THIS IS HEARTFELT MUSIC, NOT THE POP,RAP CRAP MUSIC THEY LISTEN TO NOW,IT,S NOT EVEN REAL MUSIC, GIVE ME B.B,F.KING ALBERT KING,A.COLLINS,JIMI,SRV. NEED I SAY MORE.🎸😎🎵🔊 BOB.

Imposible tocar mejor la guitarra. Grande entre los grandes lightnin

It's all so nice and sweet 😋 really. Tnks to Mr Hopkins, those who keep the blues alive 💙 🙌, PEACE out.

This is after the early record a day stuff, 60s and after the hippie stuff, after a long life and we all saw Les's film on lightnin'. Just a regular supermojo hero at home getting down on the whole town a little high, dark in the blues. Im happy to hear this, didnt know it existed. Just got a fresh crop of blues from the record store - got some old fat possum compilations about chicago and everyone with blind in their name

Such Great Music!

Thank you 🌐🎶🎵☮✌

All the songs over the decades with a little lighting in it WOW. Thank you

Lightnin Hopkins , True bluesman !!!!

True Blues Man

Wow man heavy

Great!

Awesome Lightnin!!!...harmonica player is great,,,but I wish someone would have told him that Lightinin is the star,,,Don't play on top of him.

este álbum suena muy muy bien!!!! muchas gracias por traer este album a la escucha que me ha hecho sentir bien y algo de consuelo... Infinitas Gracias!!!!

Rolling Stone magazine might like to readjust their parameters as to what constitutes a guitar player..? Lightning is to the guitar what Miles is to the trumpet.

He was playing in Clarksdale Miss in the late 80's. He was just Setting out side a old store that was built in the early 1900's. There was a few people around listening to him and then word got out he was playing guitar. Cars came from every where to see him and hear him sing and guitar.

Lorsque cet album de Lightning ⚡ Hopkins a été livré au publique, j'étais en train de commencer le 2ième année d'uni. When this Last Concert / album was released, I was in my second year, the sophomore year, of Knox College, the Other School of Hard Knox, Knox County, Western Illinois. Surely, an' I ain't callin' nobody Shirley, all the days of my life, I've had the blues 💙, lived the blues.

Perfect.

je pense que Lightnin Hopkins a légué sa musique à tous les musiciens de blues dans ce dernier concert !!!!!!!

Wolfman's right.lol..this music is rich with so much soul. RIP Lightning.

He's so much better playing with just himself

Lighting Hopkins had blues in the heart

Thanx for posting this classic. Real music with soul and feel made by a man with talent. I just can't get enough of the blues 🎸🎸

Wonderful stuff!