John Temple, b. October 18, 1906 in Canton, MS, d. November 22, 1968 in Jackson, MS. Temple learned guitar from his stepfather Slim Duckett, a well-known performer from the Jackson area who later recorded for OKeh Records in 1930. Temple could also play the mandolin and often worked at house parties and juke-joints. In 1932 he moved to Chicago where he worked as a general all-round musician and recorded blues for both Decca and Vocalion Records. He worked with the famous McCoy brothers and recorded as part of the knockabout jazz group the Harlem Hamfats. He continued to work in Chicago until well into the post-war period, appearing with artists such as Billy Boy Arnold and Walter Horton, as well as forming his own group, the Rolling Four. In the mid-60s he returned to Jackson where, after a period of ill health, he died from cancer at the age of 62.
Discography:
- Johnnie Temple 1935-05-14 | C-987-A | The Evil Devil Blues (Vocalion 02987, 1935)
- Johnnie Temple 1935-05-14 | C-987-B | Jacksonville Blues (Vocalion 02987, 1935)
- Johnnie Temple 1935-05-14 | C-983-B | Lead Pencil Blues (It Just Won't Write) (Vocalion 03068, 1935)
- Johnnie Temple 1935-05-14 | C-986-B | Big Boat Whistle (Vocalion 03068, 1935)
- Johnnie Temple 1935-05-14 | C-985-B | Morning Prayer Blues (Vocalion (unissued), — )
- Johnnie Temple 1935-05-14 | C-988-B | Cypress Grove Blues (Vocalion (unissued) — )
- Johnnie Temple 1936-11-12 | 90980-A | New Vicksburg Blues (Decca 7244, 1936)
- Johnnie Temple 1936-11-12 | 90981-A | Louise Louise Blues (Decca 7244, 1936)
- Johnnie Temple 1937-05-14 | 91249-A | Peepin' Through the Keyhole (Decca 7316, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple 1937-05-14 | 91251-A | East St. Louis Blues (Decca 7316, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple 1937-05-14 | 91247-A | So Lonely and Blue (Decca 7337, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple 1937-05-14 | 91248-A | New Louise Louise Blues (Decca 7337, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple and the Harlem Hamfats 1937-10-06 | 62653-A | Gimme Some of That Yum Yum Yum (Decca 7385, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple and the Harlem Hamfats 1937-10-06 | 62654-A | Hoodoo Woman (Decca 7385, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple and the Harlem Hamfats 1937-10-06 | 62655-A | Mama's Bad Luck Child (Decca 7416, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple and the Harlem Hamfats 1937-05-14 | 91246-A | Snapping Cat (Decca 7416, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple 1937-05-14 | 91250-A | Pimple Blues (Decca 7444, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple 1937-10-06 | 62656-A | Mean Baby Blues (Decca 7444, 1937)
- Johnnie Temple 1937-10-28 | C-2046-2 | Beale Street Sheik (Vocalion (unissued), — )
- Johnnie Temple 1937-10-28 | C-2049-2 | The Hoodoo Plan (Vocalion (unissued) — )
- Johnny Temple with the Harlem Hamfats 1938-04-22 | 63670-A | What Is That Smells Like Gravy (Decca 7456, 1938)
- Johnny Temple with the Harlem Hamfats 1938-04-22 | 63674-A | County Jail Blues (Decca 7456, 1938)
- Johnny Temple with the Harlem Hamfats 1938-04-22 | 63671-A | Every Dog Must Have His Day (Decca 7495, 1938)
- Johnny Temple with the Harlem Hamfats 1938-04-22 | 63672-A | Fare You Well (Decca 7495, 1938)
- Johnny Temple with the Harlem Hamfats 1938-04-22 | 63673-A | Stavin' Chain (Decca 7532, 1938)
- Johnny Temple with the Harlem Hamfats 1938-04-22 | 63675-A | Gonna Ride 74 (Decca 7532, 1938)
- Johnny Temple 1938-10-17 | 91520-A | Big Leg Woman (Decca 7547, 1938)
- Johnny Temple 1938-10-17 | 91523-A | Between Midnight and Dawn (Decca 7547, 1938)