| Big Bill Broonzy |
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William "Big Bill" Broonzy was born in 1893 in Scott, Mississippi, and moved to Chicago in 1920. He was a prolific song writer. He had a powerful voice and was a fine acoustic guitarist. He grew up in the hardship of the South and segregation, but was a beloved performer where ever he played. His music was his ticket to Chicago, Richmond, and the world. Big Bill Broonzy was one of the most significant Country Blues artists ever. Unlike Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, or Blind Lemon Jefferson, who all died at relatively young ages, Big Bill lived to the age of 65. He performed and recorded right up to the end. He saw the birth of Rock and Roll and performed in folk music revivals. Big Bill recorded in Richmond in 1930 and 1932. He came to national attention in 1938 in John Hammond's From Spirituals To Swing musical production in Carnegie Hall, New York. Big Bill filled in for Robert Johnson, due to the latter's untimely death. Prior to WWII, Broonzy, Tampa Red, and Georgia Tom (also Gennett artists) were among the most popular Country Blues performers in Chicago. They called themselves The Hokum Boys. After WWII, musical tastes began to change with the introduction of the electric guitar by blues artists like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and John Lee Hooker. Consequently, Big Bill and Tampa's popularity dropped as their "down-home" style went out of fashion with the younger black audiences. Meanwhile, Georgia Tom took another route and became famous in Gospel music from the mid-30's and on, under his real name, Thomas A. Dorsey (also a WOF honoree). Big Bill Broonzy toured Europe, doing it twice, once in 1951 and again in 1952, playing to sold-out crowds. Leadbelly toured Europe in 1949, just before his death. Big Bill and Leadbelly were the Blues ambassadors, just as twenty years earlier; Louis Armstrong was America's Jazz ambassador to Europe and the world. Big Bill was a generous man and well loved. Muddy Waters called Broonzy the nicest man he had ever met. Toward the end of Bill's life he was in high demand at Folk Festivals. He put the overalls of his youth back on and sang songs like "John Henry" and "This Train." In 1958, Big Bill died of throat cancer in Chicago. The Who's Who of the Blues and Folk music all showed up for his funeral. Big Bill Broonzy is a legend in American music and a 2007 Walk of Fame honoree.Bob Jacobsen, Board member |
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