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Posts Tagged ‘Blind Lemon Jefferson’

Died On This Date (March 16, 1975) T-Bone Walker / Blues Icon

Posted by themusicsover on March 16, 2010

Aaron “T-Bone” Walker
May 28, 1910 – March 16, 1975

T-Bone Walker was a highly influential Texas blues guitarist, songwriter and singer.  His electrifying blues solos laid the foundation for such future disciples as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Gibbons, Chuck Berry, and Jimi Hendrix.  Walker learned to play the guitar while in his teens, getting a helping hand from family friend, Blind Lemon Jefferson.  He moved to Los Angeles and began making records in 1929.  He soon became a popular draw along the city’s fabled Central Avenue jazz scene.  He made several albums through the early ’70s, with his 1971 release, Good Feelin’ earning him his only Grammy.  Health issues dogged Walker during his later years which no doubt, lead to a stroke in 1974. In March of 1975, T-Bone Walker suffered a second stroke and ultimately died of bronchial pneumonia on March 16, 1975. He was 64 years old.

What You Should Own

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Complete Imperial Recordings, 1950-1954 - T-Bone Walker

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Died On This Date (January 30, 1982) Lightnin’ Hopkins / Blues Icon

Posted by themusicsover on January 30, 2010

Sam “Lightnin'” Hopkins
March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982

Meeting Blind Lemon Jefferson at the age of eight was likely the moment that sent Lightnin’ Hopkins down the blues highway.   But it wasn’t until 1946 that Hopkins got his break when he was convinced by Aladdin Records to go to Los Angeles to record with pianist Wilson Smith.   It was the beginning of one of the most prolific runs in music history, as Hopkins made as many as 1000 recordings over the course of his career, believed to be the most of any bluesman.   During the ’60s, Hopkins benefited from the blues and folk revival that lead to him playing alongside Pete Seeger and Joan Baez at Carnegie Hall.    Lightnin’ Hopkins died of cancer on January 30, 1982.  He was 69 years old.

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Lightnin' Hopkins: The Complete Aladdin Recordings - Lightnin' Hopkins

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Died On This Date (December 12*, 1929) Blind Lemon Jefferson / The Father Of Texas Blues

Posted by themusicsover on December 12, 2009

Blind Lemon Jefferson
September 24, 1893 (Assumed) – December 12, 1929 (Assumed)

One thing is known about Blind Lemon Jefferson, that he has been rightfully called the “Father of Texas Blues,”  but most else about the man still remains in question.  As the story goes, Jefferson, who was blind since birth, began learning the guitar as a young teen, and within a few years, he was performing at local dances and parties.  By the time he was in his 20s, he was touring around Texas, hooking up with the likes of Lead Belly and T-Bone Walker whom he reportedly taught how to play the guitar.  During the mid ’20s, Jefferson went up to Chicago to make records for the Paramount label and later, Okeh, churning out such blues classics as “Long Lonesome Blues” and “See That My Grave is Kept Clean,” “Black Snake Moan” and “Matchbox Blues.”  Other than the records he made, everything else in this post may or may not be true.  It seems that as Jefferson’s fame grew, so did tall tales about his life.  Date of birth? Speculated.  Blind?  Probably.  Married with child?  Not proven.  Date and cause of death?   On or around December 12, 1929, Blind Lemon Jefferson did in fact, die.  The three most likely scenarios are that he became disoriented during a snow storm and suffered a fatal heart attack; he was poisoned by a jealous lover; he froze to death.  What HAS been proven, is that he left behind a catalog of over 500 songs that have influenced the likes of Lightnin’ Hopkins, B.B. King, Doc Watson, and the Beatles.

What You Should Own

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The Best of Blind Lemon Jefferson - Blind Lemon Jefferson

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Died On This Date (October 3, 1976) Victoria Spivey / Early Blues Great

Posted by themusicsover on October 3, 2009

Victoria Spivey
October 15, 1906 – October 3, 1976

With Louis Armstrong

With Louis Armstrong

Victoria Spivey was a Houston born blues singer who came to prominence in the 1930s.  Her career began with her singing at local parties and clubs while still in her teens.  Before she knew it she was sharing the stage or singing on records with the likes of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Louis Armstrong and King Oliver.  Spivey transitioned to film during the ’30s, appearing in such movies as Hallelujah!.  She retired from show business in 1951, but made a comeback during the folk revival of the early ’60s.  During her later career she recorded with the likes such greats as Otis Rush, Otis Spann, Willie Dixon, and even Bob Dylan who played harmonica and sang back-up on a 1962 recording.  Victoria Spivey died of an internal hemorrhage at the age of 69.

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Victoria Spivey Vol. 1 1926-1927 - Victoria Spivey

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