Mathis James “Jimmy” Reed (September 6, 1925 – August 29, 1976)^[1] was an American blues musician and songwriter. A major player in electric blues,^[2] he had a significant impact on rock and roll artists such as Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Hank Williams, Jr, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jerry Garcia and the Rolling Stones.