ABSTRACT
American blues singer, born in Couchman, Texas. He lost his sight as a child, and lived by singing in the streets. In 1917 he moved to Dallas, sang with Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter), sang in several southern states, then located in Chicago. There he became famous and influential, singing mostly his own compositions, accompanying himself on the guitar. Around 1925 he signed with Paramount and soon became one of the most popular blues singers on record. Among
his biggest hit discs were “Long Lonesome Blues” (Paramount 12354; 1926), “Black Snake Moan,” and “Match Box Blues” (Okeh 8455; 1927). He died in Chicago during a snowstorm; the exact circumstances of his death are unknown. His 78-rpm recordings have been reissued many times on LP and CD; Document Records has reissued his complete work on a series of CDs, and selections are available on Yazoo, Milestone/Riverside, Biograph, and many other domestic and European labels.
