Hooker was working as janitor in a Detroit steel mill when his recording career began in 1948, when Modern Records based in Los Angeles, released a demo he had recorded for Bernie Besman in Detroit.The single, "Boogie Chillin'", became a hit and the best-selling race record of 1949.
His early solo songs were recorded by Besman who recorded Hooker playing guitar, singing and stomping on a wooden pallet in time with the music.