Blind Lemon Jefferson

"Blind Lemon" redirects here. Not to be confused with Blind Melon.
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[1]
Coutchman, Texas, U.S.
DiedDecember 19, 1929(1929-12-19) (aged 36)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
  • musician
Instrument(s)
Years active1912–1929[8]
Labels

Lemon Henry "Blind Lemon" Jefferson (September 24, 1893 – December 19, 1929)[1] was an American blues and gospel singer-songwriter and musician. He was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s and has been called the "Father of the Texas Blues".[9]

Due mainly to his high-pitched voice and the originality of his guitar playing, Jefferson's performances were distinctive.[9] 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.[10] Later blues and rock and roll musicians, however, did attempt to imitate both his songs and his musical style.[9]

  1. ^ a b Some sources indicate Jefferson was born on October 26, 1894.
  2. ^ Bourne, Michael (June 24, 2018). "The Creators of 'Lonesome Blues' Discuss Its Inspiration, Blind Lemon Jefferson, on Blues Break". WBGO. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  3. ^ Campilongo, Jim (March 1, 2019). "Vinyl Treasures: 'The Immortal Blind Lemon Jefferson'". Guitar World. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Davies, David Martin (May 19, 2016). "Texas Matters: The History Of Texas Blues". Texas Public Radio. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  5. ^ Tucker, Simon (September 11, 2013). "Blind Lemon Jefferson: The Rough Guide To Blind Lemon Jefferson – album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  6. ^ Hitchcock, Paul (April 6, 2019). "Blind Lemon Jefferson". Wmky.org. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  7. ^ Jazz and Blues Legends – The Rough Guide To Blues Legends: Blind Lemon Jefferson World Music Network. Retrieved June 29, 2019
  8. ^ Obrecht, Jas. "Black Snake Moan / Matchbox Blues" (PDF). Loc.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-09. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Charters, Samuel (1977). The Blues Makers. New York: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80438-7.