Big Bill Broonzy
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“Big Bill” Broonzy was a prolific American blues composer, recorder and performer.
“Big Bill” was born William Lee Conley Broonzy in Scott County, Mississippi on June 26, 1893 or 1898 (the exact year is unclear). While Broonzy himself claimed to be born in 1893, another source claims that Broonzy had a twin sister named Lannie Broonzy who had proof they were born on June 26, 1898. During this time, it was common for black men to add years to their actual age in order to get a job or join the military, which may very well have been the case for Broonzy as well. Regardless, Broonzy, originally a fiddler, left Mississippi in 1924 for Chicago, where he met Papa Charlie Jackson, who taught him to play guitar. Broonzy first recorded as a self-accompanied singer in 1929. Around 1936, he became one of the first blues singers to use a small instrumental group, including “traps” (drums), acoustic bass and one or more melodic instruments (horns and/or harmonica). These recordings were usually issued as “Big Bill and his Chicago Five.” At the time, Broonzy was recording for the American Record Corporation on their line of less expensive labels (Melotone, Perfect Records, et al). In 1939, ARC was acquired by CBS, and Broonzy then appeared on Vocalion (later Okeh) and, after 1945, on Columbia Records. One of his best-known songs was written at that time,
Key To The Highway.
“Big Bill” was born William Lee Conley Broonzy in Scott County, Mississippi on June 26, 1893 or 1898 (the exact year is unclear). While Broonzy himself claimed to be born in 1893, another source claims that Broonzy had a twin sister named Lannie Broonzy who had proof they were born on June 26, 1898. During this time, it was common for black men to add years to their actual age in order to get a job or join the military, which may very well have been the case for Broonzy as well. Regardless, Broonzy, originally a fiddler, left Mississippi in 1924 for Chicago, where he met Papa Charlie Jackson, who taught him to play guitar. Broonzy first recorded as a self-accompanied singer in 1929. Around 1936, he became one of the first blues singers to use a small instrumental group, including “traps” (drums), acoustic bass and one or more melodic instruments (horns and/or harmonica). These recordings were usually issued as “Big Bill and his Chicago Five.” At the time, Broonzy was recording for the American Record Corporation on their line of less expensive labels (Melotone, Perfect Records, et al). In 1939, ARC was acquired by CBS, and Broonzy then appeared on Vocalion (later Okeh) and, after 1945, on Columbia Records. One of his best-known songs was written at that time,
Key To The Highway.
Featured Tracks
| FULL TRACK Hey Bud Blues | 3:05 |
| FULL TRACK Coal black curly hair | 4:07 |
| FULL TRACK Letter To My Baby | 3:08 |
| FULL TRACK When Did You Leave Heaven | 3:32 |
Top Albums
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Good Time Tonight
Big Bill Broonzy
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Big Bill Broonzy Sings Folk Songs
Big Bill Broonzy Buy- Download Album
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Big Bill Broonzy Vol. 2 1932 - 1934
Big Bill Broonzy Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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Druid66 Weren't nobody bigger in his field!
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smee85 -
Davadarho Bill Almighty. Great singer and guitar player.
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gerard_d "that's the glory of love" what a sweet ragtime track
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pauljinks Every bit as good as they say. Legend.
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DeucesAreWild one of the greatest players, singers, what have you. Period.
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Theeboon Play that guitar boy
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IamFlood The man, regardless of sound quality.
Videos
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long tall mama
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Long Tall Mama
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Shuffle Rag (Big Bill Broonzy)
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Hey, Hey (Big Bill Broonzy)
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