Frank Stokes
Frank Stokes (born January 1, 1888 in Whitehaven , Tennessee , † September 12, 1955 in Memphis , Tennessee) was an American blues guitarist.
Life
Born in Tennessee, Stokes grew up in Tutwiler , Mississippi, after the death of his parents . Here he learned to play the guitar. He later lived as a farrier in Hernando , also in Mississippi. On the weekends he went to Memphis to make music.
At the time of the First World War , Stokes and Garfield Akers moved around with a so-called Medicine Show - a "sales fair" for medical articles, at which musicians, singers and dancers should attract the audience. He then stayed in Oakville , Tennessee , where he resumed his work as a farrier.
In 1927 he formed the duo Beale Street Sheiks together with Dan Sane , with whom he performed in Memphis and made his first recordings. In 1928 he recorded four sessions as a soloist for Victor Records . 1929 ended with the last recordings as Beale Street Sheiks his short recording career, but he continued to perform successfully.
In the 1940s , Stokes moved to Clarksdale , Mississippi and occasionally played with Bukka White .
Frank Stokes died in Memphis in 1955.
Web links
- Frank Stokes at Discogs (English)
- Frank Stokes at Allmusic (English)
- Frank Stokes: The Complete Victor Recordings 1928–1929 on Document Records
- Frank Stokes' biography (with audio samples)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Stokes, Frank |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues guitarist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 1, 1888 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | White Haven , Tennessee |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 12, 1955 |
| Place of death | Memphis , Tennessee |