Early Blues Artist: Big Bill Broonzy Part 1

June 11, 2010 by DaleR
Filed under: Blues History

As a start if the discussion of the early bluesmen. we will start with Big Bill Broonzy. He was one of the early blues musicians that influenced the Chicago Blues soumd

Big Bill Broonzy was on of the early bluesmen that was instrumental in bringing the blues to Chicago and helped to create the sound of the early Chicago Blues. He was born in Mississippi on June 26,1898 and moved to Chicago in 1920 while still a teen. His actual name was William Lee Conley Broonzy. He learned to play guitar and was am major recording figure in Chicago from the mid 1920′s and into the 1950′s

He started playing country blues to black audience but in the 30′s and 40′s move into more diverse audiences by evolving into a more urban style of blues that appealed to white audiences. In the 50′s he returned to the more traditional blues and became popular during the folk revival (sometimes known as the great folk scare).

Broonzy’s song writing credits include more that 300 songs both folk blues and original blues song. Papa Charlie Johnson was a mentor and major influece on Broonzie’s playing. Broonzie began playing in Chicago at rent parties and any type of gathering where he could hone his singing and guitar playing skills. One of his early musical compositions was “Saturday Night Rub.”

Broonzy had some difficulty breaking into the recording industry but finally had “Big Bill’s Blues” and House Rent Stomp” released in 1927. The recording was not successful but it served to launch his career. He continued to release recordings but had not yet reached a level of success. He was developing his own style and his playing was becoming more mature.

In 1929, Paramont Records released a record that game Broonzy full credit for a recording but mispelled his name “Broomsley/” This record also sold poorly and Broonzy was forced to work day jobs to support himself.

continued next post