|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZJEFFERSON, Blind Lemon(b July 1897, Couchman TX; d probably Dec. '29) Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist. Born blind and worked as singing beggar, teamed at one time with Leadbelly. He was one of the first and finest to codify the blues by recording it, and was probably the biggest-selling artist in the genre in his lifetime, thought to have infl. everyone who subsequently sang the blues, incl. Louis Armstrong. Thought to have died in Chicago of exposure in a snowstorm, possibly after suffering a heart attack; buried in Texas; a grave marker was dedicated '67. First records late '25 or early '26, religious songs under the name of Deacon L. J. Bates; made about 100 sides, nearly all for Paramount. Wrote many songs: best known 'Black Snake Blues', 'Pneumonia Blues', 'See That My Grave Is Kept Clean'. Compilations on Milestone, Ace, Columbia, Yazoo. |