Blind Joe Reynolds
Blind Joe Reynolds (born 1900 in Arkansas or 1904 in Tallulah , Louisiana , † March 10, 1968 in Monroe , Louisiana) was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. His death certificate says he was born in Arkansas in 1900, but it is believed that he was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1904.
His name is not entirely certain either. It is widely believed that he was born Joe Sheppard, but his nephew Henry Millage says his name was Joe Leonard.
In addition to "Blind Joe", Reynolds used a number of other pseudonyms to escape the police and various other "enemies". It is reported that Reynolds was constantly in conflict with the law. He was imprisoned twice in his youth.
Reynolds went blind in the second half of the 1920s after a gunshot in his face, causing him to lose both eyes. Still, he was a master at handling a pistol, localizing his target by ear.
After unsteady years, the street musician and master of the slide guitar was discovered by HC Speir in 1929 and invited to record. In two sessions he recorded two pieces each. In November of the same year, Reynolds recorded four tracks in Grafton , Wisconsin , which were released by Paramount Records : Cold Woman Blues , Nehi Blues , Ninety Nine Blues, and Outside Woman Blues .
The next recording session took place a year later in Memphis , Tennessee , under the name "Blind Willie Reynolds" for Victor Records . The pieces Married Man Blues and Third Street Woman Blues were published two more titles, Goose Hill Woman Blues and Short Dress Blues , presumed lost.
After these last recordings in 1930, Reynolds fell into oblivion. Outside Woman Blues was covered by Cream in 1967 for their album Disraeli Gears , named as "Arthur Reynolds". At that time Reynolds was still active as a street musician in the southern United States.
Blind Joe Reynolds died of pneumonia in 1968 after suffering a stroke.
The original recording of "Ninety Nine Blues" / "Cold Woman Blues" was thought to be lost for a long time until a copy was sold for one dollar at a flea market in Tennessee in 2001. The record fetched $ 15,000 at auction. It is the only known copy that has survived.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Reynolds, Blind Joe |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Reynolds, Blind Willie |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1900 or 1904 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Arkansas or Tallulah , Louisiana |
| DATE OF DEATH | March 10, 1968 |
| Place of death | Monroe , Louisiana |