Blues/Folk/Gospel- Huddie William Ledbetter- Lead Belly, Texas, Huntsville
Huddie William Ledbetter was born in 1889 in Caddo Parish Louisiana. Ledbetter launched his music career in the early 1930s. However, he struggled as a performer. Starting around 1940, Ledbetter's career took off. He became known by the stage name Lead Belly and recorded folk, blues and gospel songs. He was notable for his strong vocals and virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar. Among the folk songs he introduced was his renditions of "In the Pines," "Goodnight, Irene," "Midnight Special," "Cotton Fields," and "Boll Weevil." Lead Belly appeared in venues throughout the United States and was the first American folk/blues musician to achieve success in Europe. Lead Belly died in 1949. Long after his death, Lead Belly's music influenced the music of two of the most versatile popular musician ever- Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. Lead Belly also influenced the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and rockers such as Kurt Cobain.
A Side Note: The word "woke" is often used in present day political rhetoric. Here's what it means to be woke according Lead Belly.
In his 1938 recording of his song "Scottsboro Boys," which tells the story of nine black teenagers and young men falsely accused of raping two white women in Alabama in 1931, Lead Belly urged black listeners to "stay woke" when he noted, "So I advise everybody, be a little careful when they go along through there—best stay woke, keep their eyes open." (The word "woke" had long been used in black communities as a warning to stay alert and be aware of others' deception and harmful intentions.)
Blues/Folk/Gospel- Huddie William Ledbetter- Lead Belly, Texas, Huntsville
Huddie William Ledbetter was born in 1889 in Caddo Parish Louisiana. Ledbetter launched his music career in the early 1930s. However, he struggled as a performer. Starting around 1940, Ledbetter's career took off. He became known by the stage name Lead Belly and recorded folk, blues and gospel songs. He was notable for his strong vocals and virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar. Among the folk songs he introduced was his renditions of "In the Pines," "Goodnight, Irene," "Midnight Special," "Cotton Fields," and "Boll Weevil." Lead Belly appeared in venues throughout the United States and was the first American folk/blues musician to achieve success in Europe. Lead Belly died in 1949. Long after his death, Lead Belly's music influenced the music of two of the most versatile popular musician ever- Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. Lead Belly also influenced the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and rockers such as Kurt Cobain.
A Side Note: The word "woke" is often used in present day political rhetoric. Here's what it means to be woke according Lead Belly.
In his 1938 recording of his song "Scottsboro Boys," which tells the story of nine black teenagers and young men falsely accused of raping two white women in Alabama in 1931, Lead Belly urged black listeners to "stay woke" when he noted, "So I advise everybody, be a little careful when they go along through there—best stay woke, keep their eyes open." (The word "woke" had long been used in black communities as a warning to stay alert and be aware of others' deception and harmful intentions.)