|
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 ZWILLIAMSON, Sonny Boy(b Aleck Ford, 5 Dec. 1899, Glendora MS; d 25 May '65, Helena AR) Blues singer, harmonica player. Known as Rice Miller, from childhood nickname and stepfather's surname. Hoboed through South, worked as 'Little Boy Blue'; according to Sheldon Harris's Blues Who's Who both Miller and John Lee Williamson (see above) worked with Sunnyland Slim early '30s; Miller later worked with Elmore James, Big Boy Crudup, Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf; appeared on radio show King Biscuit Time '41--5, billed as Sonny Boy Williamson. After the original Sonny Boy Williamson was murdered he claimed to be the original; his talent justified the arrogance. He recorded on small labels in Arkansas and Mississippi early '50s, then for Checker and Chess in Chicago '55--63, had R&B hits 'Don't Start Me Talkin'', 'Keep It To Yourself' '55--6, came back to that chart '63 with 'Help Me'. Recorded for Mercury '63 in Chicago, in Europe with Victoria Spivey for her label, with Otis Spann on Fontana, both in Germany '63--4; toured with Chris Barber trad band '64 (concert on Black Lion), with Memphis Slim in Paris (live tracks on Vogue/GNP), made A Portrait In Blues '63 on Storyville in Denmark with Memphis Slim on two tracks; he was one of the most direct influences on UK R&B, recording with Animals and Yardbirds '63, Brian Auger '65. |