b. 16 May 1932, Grenada, Mississippi, USA. Brock’s father gave him a harmonica as a Christmas present when he was aged eight. At the age of 12, he sang at a ‘fish fry’ and later worked in many clubs in his native state. He settled in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953, and after playing in a club for some time, he took it over temporarily. He subsequently became a band leader again, working with Ike Turner, and employed Albert King as his lead guitarist. Brock refused an opportunity to record in 1963 and remained in St. Louis, burning up the local blues scene with his band the Houserockers while holding down a day job. He eventually made his first single in 1990, followed by an album on his own label later the same year. In the mid-00s Brock began recording for the Cat Head label, with the 2005 release Club Caravan earning universal acclaim. He was also the subject of filmmaker Damien Blaylock’s documentary, Hard Times. Brock describes himself as ‘a low down pure blues singer’, strongly influenced by Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Jimmy Reed. He is the proud possessor of a gold belt, successfully defended in numerous harmonica championships in addition to having over 75 grandchildren.