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Published on 07/20/1998 All articles from this issue

John Lee Hooker singing the blues after fire at his home

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Town Crier Staff Report

A two-alarm $400,000 blaze burned the Los Altos home of famous blues guitarist John Lee Hooker.

The fire, which started about 8:15 p.m. Sunday, began in a bedroom of his home that is located in an unincorporated area of Los Altos.

The Santa Clara County Fire Department responded with seven pieces of equipment and 30 firefighters.

A family member was injured when he put his hand through a window to rescue some cats, said a fire department spokeswoman.

A firefighter also received some burns on his wrist.

The fire worked its way up into the ceiling, from the bedroom, and then went across the house, the spokeswoman said.

Music critics describe Hooker, in his 80s, as "one of the biggest names ever in blues." A fire department spokeswoman said Hooker was "one of the last of the living original blues singers."

Hooker was well known for his song, "Boom Boom." He played with the groups Los Lobos, Santana and Bonnie Rait.

He won a Grammy for his CD, "The Healer," released in 1989.

He is also famous for the shuffle he does when he performs.