he made his first recording in memphis with the guitarist little buddy doyle. due to poor health he worked outside the music industry in the 1940s. in the early 1950s he was one of the first musicians recording for sam phillips at sun records in memphis, who would later record elvis presley. at this time he also was part of the chicago blues scene, where he recorded amongst others with eddie taylor and johnny shines. after junior wells left the muddy waters band he recorded one session with waters. in the 1960s he recorded often as sideman for other musicians. he played frequently in the 1970s at blues and folk music festivals in the u.s. and europe, often with willie dixon's chicago blues all-stars. in 1977 he joined johnny winter and muddy waters on winter's album i'm ready. at that time he also recorded for blind pig records. horton appeared in the maxwell street scene in the 1980 film the blues brothers. his final recordings were made in 1980.