Charley Patton
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Charley Patton (May 1, 1891–April 28, 1934) was an American delta blues musician, and one of the first mainstream stars of the genre. He was extremely popular across the U.S. South, and was invited to perform at plantations and taverns (in contrast to most other blues musicians, who were itinerant wanderers). He is considered by many to be the "Father of Delta Blues".
He is credited with creating an enduring body of American music and personally inspiring just about every Delta blues man (Palmer, 1995). Palmer considers him among the most important musicians that America produced in the twentieth century.
Although a small man at about 5 foot 5 and 135 pounds, it was rumored that his voice could carry for over 500 yards without amplification. The sound of his whiskey- and cigarette-scarred voice was a major influence in the singing style of one of his students, Howlin Wolf.
Long before Jimi Hendrix he was the entertainer's entertainer with dazzling showmanship, often playing guitar on his knees and behind his head.
References
- Calt, Stephen & Wardlow, Gayle (1988). King of the Delta Blues, The Life and Music of Charlie Patton. ISBN 0961861002.
- Robert Palmer (1995). Deep Blues. ISBN 0140062238.
External links
- Charlie Patton by R. Crumb (http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/patton1.htm) brief bio by R. Crumb
- Artist profile @ Allmusic.com (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:4gjeeaz04xs7)
- An excerpted bio @ southernmusic.net (http://www.southernmusic.net/charliepatton.htm)
- Charlie Patton by Cub Koda (http://www.ilpopolodelblues.com/bman/patton.html)
- Charlie Patton (MP3) (http://www.mp3.com/charley-patton/artists/390/biography.html)de:Charley Patton