Big Bill Broonzy: Part 2

March 12, 2011 by DaleR
Filed under: Blues History

Lester Melrose and producer for a number of labels, Champion and Gerrett Records. Broonzy released several sides in 1931 under the name of Big Bill Johnson. He then went to New Yourk and recorded more sides for other record companies. Some of these recordings became better known and he went back tp Chicago and began playing in the South Side clubs and toured with Memphis Minnie.

He began recording with pianist Bob “Black Bob” Call. He became a more assured singer, with mmore of an R&B influence and his singing matured. He began make more money.

His reputioan grew when he began recording for Vocalion Record and in March 1938 he began recording for Vocalion Records. Broonzy’s reputation grew and he replaced Robert Johnson at a John Hammond produced concert at Carnegie Hall after Johnson’s death.

Though Broonzy was recording regularly during this time, his major talent was in song writing. He had a half-brother, Washboard Sam and friends Jazz Gillum and Tampa Red were also recording and Broonzy was credited as the composer of many of the songs they recorded. Though not documented, Broonzy is said to have played guitar on many of their recordings.

Though he had become a successful composer and recording artist, he still played to small audiences in the 1940′s. He still needed to have a day job to support himself. He continued to record and one of his songs from this period is “Key to the Highway.”

By the start of the 50′s Broonzy was thinking about giving up the music business. He did not consider himself successful and was tiring of working all day and recording or playing in clubs in the evening. Instead he became involve in a group of musicians called “I come for to Sing.” This was a traveling show that came at the beginning of the Folk Song Revival. The group experienced some mild success and toured Europe.

Continued next post