Blind Lemon Jefferson

Blind Lemon Jefferson
The only known photograph of Jefferson, c.1926
The only known photograph of Jefferson, c.1926
Background information
Birth nameLemon Henry Jefferson
Born(1893-09-24)September 24, 1893
Coutchman, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 19, 1929(1929-12-19) (aged 36)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
  • musician
Instruments
Years active1912–1929[7]
Labels

Lemon Henry "Blind Lemon" Jefferson (September 24, 1893 – December 19, 1929) was an American blues and gospel singer-songwriter and musician. He was one of the most popular and successful blues singers of the 1920s and has been called the "Father of the Texas Blues".[8]

Due mainly to his high-pitched voice and the originality of his guitar playing, Jefferson's performances were distinctive.[8] His recordings sold well, but he was not a strong influence on younger blues singers of his generation, who could not imitate him as easily as they could other commercially successful artists.[9] Later blues and rock and roll musicians, however, did attempt to imitate both his songs and his musical style.[8]

  1. ^ Bourne, Michael (June 24, 2018). "The Creators of 'Lonesome Blues' Discuss Its Inspiration, Blind Lemon Jefferson, on Blues Break". WBGO. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  2. ^ Campilongo, Jim (March 1, 2019). "Vinyl Treasures: 'The Immortal Blind Lemon Jefferson'". Guitar World. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  3. ^ Davies, David Martin (May 19, 2016). "Texas Matters: The History Of Texas Blues". Texas Public Radio. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Tucker, Simon (September 11, 2013). "Blind Lemon Jefferson: The Rough Guide To Blind Lemon Jefferson – album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  5. ^ Hitchcock, Paul (April 6, 2019). "Blind Lemon Jefferson". Wmky.org. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  6. ^ Jazz and Blues Legends – The Rough Guide To Blues Legends: Blind Lemon Jefferson World Music Network. Retrieved June 29, 2019
  7. ^ Obrecht, Jas. "Black Snake Moan / Matchbox Blues" (PDF). Loc.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-09. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c Dicaire, David (1999). Blues Singers: Biographies of 50 Legendary Artists of the Early 20th Century. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company. pp. 140–144. ISBN 0-7864-0606-2.
  9. ^ Charters, Samuel (1977). The Blues Makers. New York: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80438-7.