Lead Belly
American folk and blues musician (1888-1949) · United States · On the map · Musicians · Died at 61
Huddie William Ledbetter, better known by the stage name Lead Belly, was an American folk and blues singer notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the folk standards he introduced, including his renditions of "In the Pines", "Pick a Bale of Cotton", "Goodnight, Irene", "Black Betty", "Midnight Special", "Cotton Fields", and "Boll Weevil".
Lead Belly is read about 857 times a day, in 34 languages.
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Moses Asch Produced Work Songs of the U.S.A. (1942)
Dolly Parton Duets: Gee, Mom, I Want to Go Home
Woody Guthrie Duets: Midnight Special (1947)
Jelly Roll Morton Duets: Easy Rider / C C Rider
Sonny Terry Duets: Songs by Lead Belly (1944)
Cisco Houston Duets: Midnight Special (1947)
Michael Hurley Influenced by Lead
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SpotifyPhotos 6
Lead Belly's draft registration card in 1942 (SERIAL NUMBER U2214 and address listed as 604 E 9TH ST., N.Y. N. Y.)
Ledbetter at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. between 1938 and 1948
Lead Belly inside the Angola Prison, July 1934
Lead Belly and Martha Promise Ledbetter, Wilton, Connecticut, February 1935
Lead Belly at the Sunday Worker office, 1937
