Sonny Boy Williamson I.
John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson I. (born March 30, 1914 in Madison County, southwest of Jackson , Tennessee , † June 1, 1948 in Chicago ) was an American blues musician and harmonica player .
Williamson established the harmonica as a melody instrument in the blues and is considered the "father of the modern blues harp ". His style has influenced many blues musicians, including Billy Boy Arnold , Sonny Terry and Muddy Waters . In the 1940s he was so popular that the blues musician Aleck "Rice" Miller called himself Sonny Boy Williamson II .
His best-known songs are Shake the Boogie (# 4 on the R&B charts in 1947 ) and Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl .
Williamson was killed in a robbery on June 1, 1948 . In 1990 his record company donated a tombstone to commemorate him.
Web links
- Works by and about Sonny Boy Williamson I. in the catalog of the German National Library
- Sonny Boy Williamson I. at allmusic.com
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Williamson, Sonny Boy I. |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Williamson, John Lee I. (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues musician and harmonica player |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 30, 1914 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Madison County, Tennessee |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 1, 1948 |
| Place of death | Chicago |