son house - christian page
Born Edward James on March the 21st in 1902 in Hamlet Lyons Mississippi was born into a very musical family but despised seeing a man with a guitar and didn't enjoy the blues. Edward became a pastor and married an older woman which didn't last long and he ended up describing her as a 'New Orleans whore'. He did however end up picking up a guitar and learning the blues at the age of 25 and becoming known as the father of Delta Blues. Death Letter Blues being his signature song. Edward was sent to prison and served 2 of his 15 year sentence after shooting a man in self defence at one of his gigs. When he was released from prison, he was discovered by Alan Lomax who recorded Edward for the library of congress. He died October 19th in 1988, age 86.
koko taylor - Kerris Duffy
Koko Taylor aka Cara Walton was born on the 28th of September in 1928, in Memphis Tennessee. She got her nickname from her love of chocolate.
Taylor sang in gospel choirs at a young age but her real passion for music didn't come until she heard her siblings playing blues songs, that they had heard on the radio, on their makeshift instruments. Taylor married a truck driver called Robert 'Pops' Taylor and moved to Chicago in 1953 and they began playing together, becoming regulars at the South Side blues club, where she quickly made a name for herself. In 1962 she met Willie Dixon, who worked for Chess Records and went on to produce Taylor's debut single 'Honky Tony' and her single 'Wang Dang Doodle' which sold over one millions records and made No. 4 in the R&B charts.
Taylor and her husband soon quit their day jobs and Robert became her full time manager which lasted up to 40 years. Koko Taylors last performance took place on May the 7th in 2009 in her hometown, Memphis Tennessee, as she died less than a month afterwards due to surgery complications. My personnel favourite song by Koko Taylor, due to Kerris doing a beautiful cover, is I'd Rather Go Blind.
Taylor sang in gospel choirs at a young age but her real passion for music didn't come until she heard her siblings playing blues songs, that they had heard on the radio, on their makeshift instruments. Taylor married a truck driver called Robert 'Pops' Taylor and moved to Chicago in 1953 and they began playing together, becoming regulars at the South Side blues club, where she quickly made a name for herself. In 1962 she met Willie Dixon, who worked for Chess Records and went on to produce Taylor's debut single 'Honky Tony' and her single 'Wang Dang Doodle' which sold over one millions records and made No. 4 in the R&B charts.
Taylor and her husband soon quit their day jobs and Robert became her full time manager which lasted up to 40 years. Koko Taylors last performance took place on May the 7th in 2009 in her hometown, Memphis Tennessee, as she died less than a month afterwards due to surgery complications. My personnel favourite song by Koko Taylor, due to Kerris doing a beautiful cover, is I'd Rather Go Blind.
magic sam - ross hackett
Samuel Gene Maghett was born February the 14th in 1937 in Grenada, Mississippi. As a young boy he was beaten for singing the blues, the music which inspired him to become a musician. He listened to blues artists like Muddy Waters and made his own instruments, made out of wire and cigarette boxes. At the age of nineteen he moved to Chicago to follow his dream. He signed up with Cobra records and made a name for himself after releasing his first record, All Your Love in 1957. After Cobra records went bust, Willie Dixon recommended Sam to move his music to Chess records but they weren't keen on his unique sound. Sam finally ended up with Chief records but during this time, he was drafted to the army. He ended up leaving the army after a couple of weeks but was caught and sent to prison. He was released in 1960 and due to rock 'n' roll being so popular it made it harder for Sam. He was helped out by Koester, the founder of Delmark records, and he recorded the albums 'West Side Soul' and 'Black Magic'. On December the 1st, 1969, Sam died from a heart attack.
trixie smith - julia hart
Trixie Smith was born on the 21st of September in 1895 in Atlanta, Georgia. Raised in a middle class family, she studied at Selma University in Alabama before moving to New York in 1915. She made her first recordings for Black Swan records in 1922. In the same year, Trixie won a silver cup in a Blues singing contest singing her own song 'Trixie Blues'.
She went on to record with legends such as Louis Armstrong and made recordings at Paramount records and Decca.
Trixie also appeared in four films before passing in 1943, aged 48. My personnel favourite song sung by Trixie smith is Jack, I'm Mellow.
She went on to record with legends such as Louis Armstrong and made recordings at Paramount records and Decca.
Trixie also appeared in four films before passing in 1943, aged 48. My personnel favourite song sung by Trixie smith is Jack, I'm Mellow.
Howlin' wolf - andrew johnston and sean robertson
Howlin' Wolf, born Chester Arthur Burnett, was born on the 10th of June in 1910, Mississippi. He was nicknamed 'Big Foot Chester' and 'Bull Cow' due to the fact he was a large man, close to 300 pounds. However, he got the name 'Howlin' wolf' from singing Blind Lemon Jefferson's song ''Yodel Blues'' and found he wasn't able to yodel but instead howl. He then decided to keep the howl and name himself Howlin' Wolf.
Wolf was taught guitar by a blues artist he listened to, the most popular bluesman in Delta at his time Charley Patton, after meeting him in 1930. Wolf then played with Patton in small Delta communities. Wolf had 4 hit songs on the billboard national R&B charts with ''How Many More Years'' going to number 4 in 1951, in the same year ''Moanin' At Midnight'' making it to number 10, ''Smokestack Lightning'' at number 8 for 3 weeks in 1956 and in the same year ''I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)'' at number 8. Due to Wolf staying away from alcohol, drugs, gambling and loose women, unlike many other blues musicians, he was very successful. He died January the 10th in 1976 from kidney disease.
Wolf was taught guitar by a blues artist he listened to, the most popular bluesman in Delta at his time Charley Patton, after meeting him in 1930. Wolf then played with Patton in small Delta communities. Wolf had 4 hit songs on the billboard national R&B charts with ''How Many More Years'' going to number 4 in 1951, in the same year ''Moanin' At Midnight'' making it to number 10, ''Smokestack Lightning'' at number 8 for 3 weeks in 1956 and in the same year ''I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)'' at number 8. Due to Wolf staying away from alcohol, drugs, gambling and loose women, unlike many other blues musicians, he was very successful. He died January the 10th in 1976 from kidney disease.
Mississippi john hurt - connor young
Born John Smith Hurt on the 2nd of July in 1893, in Teoc Mississippi. He was raised in Avalon, Mississippi in a family of eight and bought his first guitar for £1.50, naming it Black Annie, teaching himself how to play. From this he became an official player and began performing at local dances and parties. Hurt paired up with fiddle player Willie Narmour in 1923, replacing Hurt's regular partner Shell Smith. After Narmour won a fiddle contest in 1928 and was rewarded with a contract with Okeh records, Narmour recommended Hurt to Tommy Rockwell, the producer, and Hurt got a recording session. Hurt took part in two, recording his first single ''Frankie'' and ''Nobody's Dirty Business'' in Memphis and ''Spike Driver Blues'' and ''Ain't No Tellin''' in New York. Unfortunately, with the lack of promotion which resulted in the sales of the records being low and Okeh records going out of business, Hurt's career was short lived and he returned to working on a farm. However, in the 1960's after a man called Tom Hoskins listened to some of Hurt's music, he went to find Hurt and convinced him to move to Washington to start a career and in 1963 Hurt's career took off again. Sadly, Hurt died of a heart attack 3 years later. His music was put into the Library of Congress and a museum was built in his honour, in Avalon. My personnel favourite song by him is Candyman.
Robert johnson - sergio prazeres
Robert Leroy Johnson was born on the 8th of May in 1911, Hazelhurtst Mississippi. He married 16 year old Virginia Travis in February 1929 who sadly died not so long after, during childbirth. A rumour was then sparked that he sold his soul to the devil in order to become the best blues musician. Relatives of Virginia told a blues researcher that her death was punishment to Johnson for singing non-religious songs.
From 1932, Johnson travelled between large cities such as Memphis, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. He played on street corners for tips and could pick up songs from only just hearing them which allowed him to please audiences. He also made ties with the community meaning he would be welcome when he next passed through. He made many records under different record labels but didn't become popular until the Blues revival in the 1960's. He was entered into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence.
Robert Johnson died on the 16th of August in 1938. Age 27. Although nobody knows exactly how he died, many people believe that he was poisoned for flirting with another mans wife.
I believe Sweet Home Chicago is a very raw blues song.
From 1932, Johnson travelled between large cities such as Memphis, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. He played on street corners for tips and could pick up songs from only just hearing them which allowed him to please audiences. He also made ties with the community meaning he would be welcome when he next passed through. He made many records under different record labels but didn't become popular until the Blues revival in the 1960's. He was entered into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence.
Robert Johnson died on the 16th of August in 1938. Age 27. Although nobody knows exactly how he died, many people believe that he was poisoned for flirting with another mans wife.
I believe Sweet Home Chicago is a very raw blues song.
jimmy yancey - chris upton
Born James Edwards Yancey, born on the 20th of February between 1894 and 1898 (Year unknown) in Chicago.
His father was a guitarist and singer and his older brother Alonzo, was a pianist. By the age of 10, Yancey had toured around America as a tap dancer and singer. At the age of 15, Yancey began to teach himself piano and by 1915, he was influencing younger musicians such as Albert Ammons.
In 1915 Yancey and his brother performed for the Royal family. During the First World War, Yancey played basketball for the Chicagos All-Americans and kept a job as the groundkeeper for the Chicago White sox till he died.
In the 1920s, Yancey was playing at parties and clubs but never made any recordings, although he was very influential at this period of time.
In 1939, Yancey started making his first recordings, which alarmed the blues and jazz circles. His recordings were mostly solo piano but later, recorded with his wife Estelle Yancey's vocals, which came under the name 'Jimmy and Mama Yancey'. They performed in concert together in 1948 and released an album a year later. Yancey died on the 17th of September in 1951, from a stroke. He was entered into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
His father was a guitarist and singer and his older brother Alonzo, was a pianist. By the age of 10, Yancey had toured around America as a tap dancer and singer. At the age of 15, Yancey began to teach himself piano and by 1915, he was influencing younger musicians such as Albert Ammons.
In 1915 Yancey and his brother performed for the Royal family. During the First World War, Yancey played basketball for the Chicagos All-Americans and kept a job as the groundkeeper for the Chicago White sox till he died.
In the 1920s, Yancey was playing at parties and clubs but never made any recordings, although he was very influential at this period of time.
In 1939, Yancey started making his first recordings, which alarmed the blues and jazz circles. His recordings were mostly solo piano but later, recorded with his wife Estelle Yancey's vocals, which came under the name 'Jimmy and Mama Yancey'. They performed in concert together in 1948 and released an album a year later. Yancey died on the 17th of September in 1951, from a stroke. He was entered into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Victoria spivey - rosella
Victoria Spivey was born on the 15th of October in 1906 in Houston, Texas. She was born into a musical family, with her father being a part-time musician, Victoria was part of the family string band. At the age of seven, her father died which meant Victoria had to become the breadwinner, which meant playing piano at birthday parties.
When Victoria was still quite young, she had to resort to playing in local bars and whorehouses as she lost her first job due to not being able to read music. This then moved onto nightclubs which she was occasionally accompanied by ''Blind'' Lemon Jefferson. In 1918, Victoria moved to St. Louis and there she signed with Okeh Records and made her first recording ''Black Snake Blues''. In 1929, Victoria switched to the RCA Victor label which then led to singing with Vocalion and Decca Records in 1931 to 1937. As a singer songwriter, Victoria was inspired by Ida Cox, Mamie Smith, Ma Raine and Daddy Filmore. In her songs, she talks about disease, crime and sexual images. She was awarded a BMI Commendation of Excellence from the music publishing organisation for outstanding contributions to many worlds of music. Victoria played with many great artists including Louis Armstrong and Bob Dylan. She also launched her own low-budget label called 'Spivey Records' in 1962 which was dedicated to blues and related music. Victoria also appeared in musical films such as ''Missy Rose'' and ''Hallelujah''. Victoria retired from show business in 1951 to lead a church choir and play the pipe organ. Then when folk music evolved in the 1960s, she made a comeback with Bob Dylan. Victoria Spivey died on the 3rd of October in 1976 at the age of 69, from an internal haemorrhage.
When Victoria was still quite young, she had to resort to playing in local bars and whorehouses as she lost her first job due to not being able to read music. This then moved onto nightclubs which she was occasionally accompanied by ''Blind'' Lemon Jefferson. In 1918, Victoria moved to St. Louis and there she signed with Okeh Records and made her first recording ''Black Snake Blues''. In 1929, Victoria switched to the RCA Victor label which then led to singing with Vocalion and Decca Records in 1931 to 1937. As a singer songwriter, Victoria was inspired by Ida Cox, Mamie Smith, Ma Raine and Daddy Filmore. In her songs, she talks about disease, crime and sexual images. She was awarded a BMI Commendation of Excellence from the music publishing organisation for outstanding contributions to many worlds of music. Victoria played with many great artists including Louis Armstrong and Bob Dylan. She also launched her own low-budget label called 'Spivey Records' in 1962 which was dedicated to blues and related music. Victoria also appeared in musical films such as ''Missy Rose'' and ''Hallelujah''. Victoria retired from show business in 1951 to lead a church choir and play the pipe organ. Then when folk music evolved in the 1960s, she made a comeback with Bob Dylan. Victoria Spivey died on the 3rd of October in 1976 at the age of 69, from an internal haemorrhage.
alberta hunter - natalie maceira
Born on the 1st of April 1895 in Memphis, Tennessee.
At only 11 years old, she moved to Chicago and made a living from peeling potatoes. At night time she would pester the owners of clubs to let her sing in order for her to try and become a famous singer and pursue her dream.
She finally landed herself a job, headlining at 'The Dreamland Ballroom' which was a highly respected venue for black performers. She bagged a five year partnership with Dreamland, starting from 1917, earning $35 a week. Hunter then left Dreamland in 1917 to start touring around Europe where she was treated with high respect which she had never experienced before. Her career began to start moving fast in the 1920s and 1930s, appearing in nightclubs and in musicals, in places such as New York and London. Hunter made many records with many record company's starting from 1921 through to the 1930's, for record company's including Black Swan, OKeh Records, Paramount Records and Columbia Records. In 1944, she performed to the troops of World War 11 and into the early postwar period. After her mothers death in 1954, she decided she wanted to become a nurse. And was retired by the hospital in 1977. She then resumed her singing career in 1978. Alberta Hunter died in October 1984. She was enetered into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011. Here is a video of Alberta Hunter performing ''Two-Fisted Double-Jointed Rough & Ready Man'' in her 80s and you can see that she still has a lot of energy and spark about her.
At only 11 years old, she moved to Chicago and made a living from peeling potatoes. At night time she would pester the owners of clubs to let her sing in order for her to try and become a famous singer and pursue her dream.
She finally landed herself a job, headlining at 'The Dreamland Ballroom' which was a highly respected venue for black performers. She bagged a five year partnership with Dreamland, starting from 1917, earning $35 a week. Hunter then left Dreamland in 1917 to start touring around Europe where she was treated with high respect which she had never experienced before. Her career began to start moving fast in the 1920s and 1930s, appearing in nightclubs and in musicals, in places such as New York and London. Hunter made many records with many record company's starting from 1921 through to the 1930's, for record company's including Black Swan, OKeh Records, Paramount Records and Columbia Records. In 1944, she performed to the troops of World War 11 and into the early postwar period. After her mothers death in 1954, she decided she wanted to become a nurse. And was retired by the hospital in 1977. She then resumed her singing career in 1978. Alberta Hunter died in October 1984. She was enetered into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011. Here is a video of Alberta Hunter performing ''Two-Fisted Double-Jointed Rough & Ready Man'' in her 80s and you can see that she still has a lot of energy and spark about her.
Blind willie mctell
Born as William Samuel McTier, known as Blind Willie McTell, was born May the 5th in 1898 in Thomson, Georgia.
He was born blind and had to attend a special school but was interested in music from a young age so began learning how to play the guitar and write songs using brail.
He became a street performer in Atlanta and Augusta and made his first record in 1927 with Victor Records.
Although he wasn't very successful with his records, Alan Lomax found him and his music was recorded for The National Library of Congress.
He died 3 years later on the 15th of August in 1959 from diabetes and alcoholism. My personnel favourite song by Blind Willie McTell is ''Searching The Desert For The Blues''.
He was born blind and had to attend a special school but was interested in music from a young age so began learning how to play the guitar and write songs using brail.
He became a street performer in Atlanta and Augusta and made his first record in 1927 with Victor Records.
Although he wasn't very successful with his records, Alan Lomax found him and his music was recorded for The National Library of Congress.
He died 3 years later on the 15th of August in 1959 from diabetes and alcoholism. My personnel favourite song by Blind Willie McTell is ''Searching The Desert For The Blues''.
willie ''big eyes'' smith - steven angus
Smith was born in Helena, Arkansas on the 19th of January in 1936. He is a well known, composer, singer, drummer and harmonica player.
After moving to Chicago, he learnt to play the harmonica at the age of 15.
After watching Henry Strong in 1953 at a Muddy Waters gig, he was inspired to play the harp and went on to form a blues trio and led on the harp. Smith also recorded several tracks, under the Delmark label, when he played in the Rocket Four. He also played harmonica on Bo Diddley's recording of "Diddy Wah Diddy". In 1960, Smith switched to drums as there were a lack of drummers in the industry. In 1961, he then became a regular member of Muddy Waters band. Smith got nicknamed ''Big Eyes'' by Muddy Waters as Smith's eyes would get extremely big when he played the drums. Later on, Smith left the band for a short period of time to work as a taxi driver to bring in a more steady income but then rejoined the band in the late 60's. He went on to play on 84 of Muddy Waters Award Winning albums. Smith and the rest of the band went on to make there own band without Muddy Waters becoming The Legendary Blues Band in which they recorded 7 albums and toured with Bob Dylan during this time. Throughout Smith's career he was awarded 13 Blues Foundation awards for his drumming.
Smith went onto do solo recordings from 1995 onwards until he died. Smith passed away on the 16th of September in 2011 aged 75, from a stroke. Here is one of his tracks ''Baby Please Don't Go''.
After moving to Chicago, he learnt to play the harmonica at the age of 15.
After watching Henry Strong in 1953 at a Muddy Waters gig, he was inspired to play the harp and went on to form a blues trio and led on the harp. Smith also recorded several tracks, under the Delmark label, when he played in the Rocket Four. He also played harmonica on Bo Diddley's recording of "Diddy Wah Diddy". In 1960, Smith switched to drums as there were a lack of drummers in the industry. In 1961, he then became a regular member of Muddy Waters band. Smith got nicknamed ''Big Eyes'' by Muddy Waters as Smith's eyes would get extremely big when he played the drums. Later on, Smith left the band for a short period of time to work as a taxi driver to bring in a more steady income but then rejoined the band in the late 60's. He went on to play on 84 of Muddy Waters Award Winning albums. Smith and the rest of the band went on to make there own band without Muddy Waters becoming The Legendary Blues Band in which they recorded 7 albums and toured with Bob Dylan during this time. Throughout Smith's career he was awarded 13 Blues Foundation awards for his drumming.
Smith went onto do solo recordings from 1995 onwards until he died. Smith passed away on the 16th of September in 2011 aged 75, from a stroke. Here is one of his tracks ''Baby Please Don't Go''.