Blind Blake

Blind Blake

Little is known about his life. His birthplace was listed as Jacksonville , but a recently acquired 1934 death certificate from the Milwaukee, WI area lists Newport News as his 1896 birthplace. more...

Blind Boy Fuller

Blind Boy Fuller

Fulton Allen was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina, United States, to Calvin Allen and Mary Jane Walker. He was one of a family of 10 children, but after his mother's death he moved with his father to Rockingham. As a boy he learned to play the guitar and also learned from older singers the field hollers, country rags, and traditional songs and blues popular in poor, rural areas. more...

Blind Lemon Jefferson

Blind Lemon Jefferson

A seminal blues guitarist and songster, was born on a farm in Couchman, near Wortham, Freestone County, Texas, in the mid-1890s. Sources differ as to the exact birthdate. He was the son of Alec and Clarissy Banks Jefferson. more...

Ma Rainey

Ma Rainey

Blues singer, comedienne, songwriter, and theater owner. Born Gertrude Pridgett on 26 April 1886 in Columbus, Georgia, Ma Rainey began performing at the age of fourteen at the Springer Opera House in Columbus. In 1904 she married William “Pa” Rainey. more...

Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson

Considered by some to be the "Grandfather of Rock 'n' Roll", his vocal phrasing, original songs, and guitar style have influenced a broad range of musicians, including Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Winter, Jeff Beck, Jack White and Eric Clapton, more...