Willie Cobbs was born in 1932 in the small community of Smale in Eastern Arkansas. Because becoming a farmer did not appeal to him, he moved to Chicago around 1947 where he learned to play harmonica. While performing at several clubs in that city, he met Eddie Boyd who he began to do shows with. He soon moved back to Arkansas though, where he performed in local clubs around Brinkley and Hughes.

His biggest hit came in 1960 with the song "You Don't Love Me" that was modified by Jamaican singer Dawn Penn to "No, No, No" and then later on by several modern singers. Throughout the next few decades, he continued to put out popular singles, but none ever as big as "You Don't Love Me." Fellow musicians have continued to recognize his talent though. In 2013, he won the Sonny Payne Award for Blues Excellence that is handed out every October during the King Biscuit Blues Festival. Willie Cobbs is one of the many great musicians who are vital to the continuation and growth of the Blues.