“Starting out as a singer, I realized the guitar was the closest instrument to the human voice in terms of expression”: Judith Hill on her journey from backing singer for Michael Jackson, Prince and Stevie Wonder to picking up guitar in her own band

Judith Hill hits a solo on her Gibson SG, live at the Notodden Blues Festival 2024, in Norway.
(Image credit: Per Ole Hagen/Redferns)

Judith Hill spent many years as a backing singer to Prince, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder before deciding to front her own band. Hill’s vocal chops were a given, but what came as a surprise was her guitar playing.

She uncannily mixes incisive, visceral, blues-drenched solos with economical, “Jimmy Nolen meets Nile Rodgers” funk-rhythm grooves. Hill’s new album, her fifth, Letters from a Black Widow, is a career-defining statement that serves as the perfect introduction to her unique talents.

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Mark McStea

Mark is a freelance writer with particular expertise in the fields of ‘70s glam, punk, rockabilly and classic ‘50s rock and roll. He sings and plays guitar in his own musical project, Star Studded Sham, which has been described as sounding like the hits of T. Rex and Slade as played by Johnny Thunders. He had several indie hits with his band, Private Sector and has worked with a host of UK punk luminaries. Mark also presents themed radio shows for Generating Steam Heat. He has just completed his first novel, The Bulletproof Truth, and is currently working on the sequel.