Charley Patton

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Charley Patton
Publicity photo for Paramount Records, the only confirmed extant photograph of Patton, c. 1929
Background information
Also known as	The Masked Marvel Elder J. J. Hadley
Born	c. April 1891 Hinds County, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	28 April 1934(1934-04-28) (aged 43) Heathman Plantation, Sunflower County, Mississippi, U.S.
Genres	Delta blues country blues gospel blues
Occupations	Musician songwriter
Instruments	Guitar vocals slide guitar
Years active	1916–1934
Labels	Paramount Vocalion

Charlie Patton (April 1891 (probable) – April 28, 1934), more often spelled Charley Patton, was an American Delta blues musician and songwriter. Considered by many to be the "Father of the Delta Blues", he created an enduring body of American music and inspired most Delta blues musicians. The musicologist Robert Palmer considered him one of the most important American musicians of the twentieth century.

Patton (who was well educated by the standards of his time) spelled his name Charlie,^[1] but many sources, including record labels and his gravestone, use the spelling Charley.^[2]