J. B. Lenoir was an influential American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, born on March 5, 1929, in Monticello, Mississippi. Known for his high-pitched vocals and distinctive showmanship, often characterized by his zebra-patterned costumes, Lenoir became a prominent figure in the Chicago blues scene during the 1950s and 1960s. His father, a guitarist, introduced him to the music of Blind Lemon Jefferson, which greatly influenced his style.

In the early 1940s, Lenoir worked with notable blues artists like Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James in New Orleans. By 1949, he had moved to Chicago, where Big Bill Broonzy helped him integrate into the local blues community. He performed alongside musicians such as Memphis Minnie, Big Maceo Merriweather, and Muddy Waters, solidifying his place in the Chicago blues scene.

Lenoir began recording in 1951 with J.O.B. Records and Chess Records. His band, J. B. and his Bayou Boys, included Sunnyland Slim on piano, Leroy Foster on guitar, and Alfred Wallace on drums. He recorded for several labels, including Parrot and Checker, producing popular songs like "Let's Roll," "The Mojo," and the controversial "Eisenhower Blues," which was re-recorded as "Tax Paying Blues."

His most successful release, "Mamma Talk to Your Daughter," reached number 11 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1954. Lenoir's music often contained social commentary, addressing issues like racism and the Vietnam War. In the 1960s, he recorded with Willie Dixon and explored African percussion influences, which led to albums like "Alabama Blues" and "Down in Mississippi."

Lenoir's career was cut short when he died on April 29, 1967, in Urbana, Illinois, at the age of 38, due to a heart attack related to injuries from a car accident. His legacy was honored in John Mayall's songs and the 2003 documentary "The Soul of a Man." In 2011, J. B. Lenoir was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.