Muddy Waters 1915-1983

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McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983),known professionally as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer and musician who was an important figure in the post-World War II blues scene, and is often cited as the "father of modern Chicago blues". His style of playing has been described as "raining down Delta beatitude".

Muddy Waters grew up on Stovall Plantation near Clarksdale, Mississippi, and by age 17 was playing the guitar and the harmonica, emulating local blues artists Son House and Robert Johnson. He was recorded in Mississippi by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress in 1941. In 1943, he moved to Chicago to become a full-time professional musician. In 1946, he recorded his first records for Columbia Records and then for Aristocrat Records, a newly formed label run by brothers Leonard and Phil Chess.

In the early 1950s, Muddy Waters and his band—Little Walter Jacobs on harmonica, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Elga Edmonds (also known as Elgin Evans) on drums and Otis Spann on piano—recorded several blues classics, some with the bassist and songwriter Willie Dixon. These songs included "Hoochie Coochie Man," "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and "I'm Ready". In 1958, he traveled to England, laying the foundations of the resurgence of interest in the blues there. His performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960 was recorded and released as his first live album, At Newport 1960.

Muddy Waters' music has influenced various American music genres, including rock and roll and subsequently rock.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Muddy Waters, 1915-1983. Can't hold out much longer [Multimédia multisupport]. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Spann, Otis, 1930-1970. Don't start me talkin' Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Muddy Waters, 1915-1983. Can't hold out much longer. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Connor, Anthony, 1946-. Robert Neff and Anthony Connor blues collection : [oral history], 1973-1974 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Staff Secretary. 1976 - 1981. Presidential Files. 1977 - 1981. 8/9/78 Jimmy Carter Library
referencedIn John Wesley Work Collection Center for Popular Music, Middle Tennessee State University
referencedIn Jay Cassidy photograph collection, 1967-1970 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Muddy Waters, 1915-1983. Juke. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf Spann, Otis, 1930-1970. Don't start me talkin' Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Kenneally, Mark,. Collection of Philadelphia Area Handbills, 1966-1974, undated. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives
creatorOf Spann, Otis, 1930-1970. All my love in vain. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
referencedIn Cassidy, Jay. Jay Cassidy photograph collection. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Pittsburgh Courier Publishing Co. Washington Bureau. Pittsburgh Courier, Washington Bureau collection, 1946-1968. Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University
creatorOf Spann, Otis, 1930-1970. All my love in vain. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Cassidy, Jay. person
associatedWith Cassidy, Jay. person
associatedWith Lomax, Alan, 1915-2002 person
associatedWith Newport Jazz Festival corporateBody
associatedWith Pittsburgh Courier Publishing Co. Washington Bureau. corporateBody
memberOf Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum corporateBody
associatedWith Work, John Wesley, 1873-1925 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Clarksdale MS US
Chicago IL US
Subject
African Amerian musicians
African American guitarists
Blues (Music)
Occupation
Singers
Blues Guitarist
Blues Musician
Activity

Person

Birth 1915-04-04

Death 1983-04-30

Americans

English

Information

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