Born in Smale, Monroe County, Arkansas, United States,[1] Cobbs moved to Chicago in 1951,[2] where he occasionally performed in local clubs with Little Walter, Eddie Boyd, and others.

[4] Cover versions have been recorded by various artists, including John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers; James & Bobby Purify; Al Kooper and Stephen Stills; Booker T. & the M.G.

's; Junior Wells; Ike & Tina Turner; Albert King; Sonny & Cher; Jimmy Dawkins; Luther Allison; Dr. Feelgood; Gary Moore; the Allman Brothers Band; John P. Hammond; and R.L.

In 1999, he released the album Pay or Do 11 Months and 29 Days on his label, followed the next year by Jukin', produced by Willie Mitchell and featuring the Hi Rhythm Section.

His last recordings were issued in 2019 on the album Butler Boy Blues, produced by Michael Babb at Babbylon Sound in Memphis.