Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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WILLIAMSON, John Lee 'Sonny Boy'

(b 30 March '14, Jackson TN; d 1 June '48, Chicago) Blues singer, harmonica player; the original Sonny Boy Williamson. Taught himself harmonica as a child; hoboed with Sleepy John Estes '20s--30s; worked with Sunnyland Slim early '30s; settled in Chicago '34; recorded about 120 sides for Bluebird/Victor from '37, accompanists on various dates incl. Big Bill Broonzy, Big Joe Williams, Speckled Red, others; for Columbia backing Williams '47. Worked in Chicago with Broonzy, Williams, Muddy Waters; his songs, such as 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl', many more, became blues standards; his harmonica was a direct infl. on Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, etc. He was becoming a legend in his own lifetime when he was murdered by muggers. Compilations incl. Bluebird Blues on Charly, several vols on Blues Classics (from Arhoolie).