David Witter

Downhome, rooster-crowing, gut-bucket blues. Bratwurst, lederhosen and the chicken dance. The mountains of Germany and the Mississippi Delta are literally worlds apart, but one man brought them together--harmonica king Mathias Hohner.

"On the Tip of Every Tongue" is a new exhibit celebrating 150 years of Hohner Harmonicas at the DANK-HAUS German Cultural Center. Heralded with German flags, green felt hats and the blues, the traveling museum is a tribute to the influence of the "Mississippi saxophone," and its older brother the accordion, on music throughout the world.

"The harmonica and accordion have not only influenced blues, cowboy music and country music in America, but Tango and Forro music in South America, Musette in France, Russian Volksmusic, Klezmer music and polkas," Holger "Hobo" Daub of the German Harmonica Museum in Trossingen says.

Exotic letterings and drawings of elephants, alligators, dancing children and snakes on Hohner boxes exported to countries like the Congo, China, India, Indonesia and Morocco demonstrate the worldwide appeal of the instrument. In fact, by 1926 Hohner was selling over fifty million mouth harps annually.

Not bad for an itinerate watchmaker from the German highlands. "The first harmonica was invented in Vienna by a man named Wilhelm Thie," Daub says. "After that, Hohner would travel around and use the harmonica to get people to come to his wagon. It became very popular, and by using his watchmaker's skills to make reeds, he was the first person to mass produce them in 1857."

The harmonica came to the US in 1862, just in time to be used by Civil War soldiers who played it around the campfire. Since then, the instrument has endeared itself to American culture and folklore, from cowboys on "Oh Susannah," to Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago" and it's still wailing in blues clubs across the city. (David Witter)

Mouth Harp Memories

Taking in the history of the harmonica

Downhome, rooster-crowing, gut-bucket blues. Bratwurst, lederhosen and the chicken dance. The mountains of Germany and the Mississippi Delta are literally worlds apart, but one man brought them together--harmonica king Mathias Hohner.

"On the Tip of Every Tongue" is a new exhibit celebrating 150 years of Hohner Harmonicas at the DANK-HAUS German Cultural Center. Heralded with German flags, green felt hats and the blues, the traveling museum is a tribute to the influence of the "Mississippi saxophone," and its older brother the accordion, on music throughout the world.

"The harmonica and accordion have not only influenced blues, cowboy music and country music in America, but Tango and Forro music in South America, Musette in France, Russian Volksmusic, Klezmer music and polkas," Holger "Hobo" Daub of the German Harmonica Museum in Trossingen says.

Exotic letterings and drawings of elephants, alligators, dancing children and snakes on Hohner boxes exported to countries like the Congo, China, India, Indonesia and Morocco demonstrate the worldwide appeal of the instrument. In fact, by 1926 Hohner was selling over fifty million mouth harps annually.

Not bad for an itinerate watchmaker from the German highlands. "The first harmonica was invented in Vienna by a man named Wilhelm Thie," Daub says. "After that, Hohner would travel around and use the harmonica to get people to come to his wagon. It became very popular, and by using his watchmaker's skills to make reeds, he was the first person to mass produce them in 1857."

The harmonica came to the US in 1862, just in time to be used by Civil War soldiers who played it around the campfire. Since then, the instrument has endeared itself to American culture and folklore, from cowboys on "Oh Susannah," to Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago" and it's still wailing in blues clubs across the city.

(2006-10-17)

Also by David Witter

Rolling Stones Records: A Complete Unknown
Opened in 1970, the golden age of FM radio and album art, Rolling Stones Records has stood as a cultural oasis for almost forty years
(2006-10-10)

All That: Jazz Record Mart
Since taking over from Seymour's Jazz Record Mart at 439 South Wabash in 1959, The Jazz Record Mart's bulletin board and aisles have been a virtual switchboard for musicians coming into town seeking gigs or simply needing a place to stay
(2006-10-10)

We've Come a Long Way, Baby
It is a cool summer Sunday, and as the 2006 Pride Parade is about to kick off, a man wearing fishnet stockings, a feather boa, a bra and ten-inch-high platform silver shoes climbs onto a rainbow-flag float. No surprise
(2006-07-11)

Hops in Horto
Drinking is illegal and strictly enforced on all Chicago beaches, and, with limited exceptions, the only way to see the beach from a Chicago bar is with binoculars. As for the northern suburbs, alcohol is not only outlawed on the beaches, but in many of the towns as well. Yet there are still some Chicago locations where you can enjoy a clandestine six-pack or a romantic bottle of wine
(2006-06-06)

Beerstory 101
(2006-05-16)

A Pizza History
(2006-05-09)

Feeding Frenzy
(2006-05-02)

A Fish Story
(2006-03-28)

The Pork-Chop Wars
(2006-02-28)

The Chicago Archives of Alcohol
(2006-01-17)

Song Sung Blues
(2005-12-13)

Death in the Woods
(2005-10-25)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment