Born Samuel John Hopkins on March 19, 1912 in Centerville, Texas and died on January 30, 1982 in Houston, Texas). Centerville is midway between Houston and Dallas and this is where Hopkins would hear the Blues. He wqs taught to play guitar by his brother, John Henry. In 1920, Hopkins heard Blind Lemon Jefferson playing at a church in Buffalo, Texas. He would soon begin playing in Crockett, Texas and surrounding towns. He would move to Houston in 1940.

Hopkins first recorded in 1946 after Lola Cullen of Aladdin Records picked him and “Thunder ” Smith up while talent hunting in Houston. It was on the trip to California that it is believed Hopkins [icked up the name, “Lightnin'”. In 1947, Lightnin’ would record for the Houston based Gold Star label.

By 1959, Hopkins’ recording career had begun to slow. Silesian immigrant, Chris Strachwitz of Arhoolie Records, met Hopkins in Houston. Strachwitz would record Hopkins and many other Blues musicians. Lightnin’ would would benefit from the Folk/Blues of the 60s. He would continue to tour the U.S. and the world until his death in 1982.