It was always a debate as to whom was the most captivating bluesman that ever performed, either it was Son House or Howlin’ Wolf. Nobody else ever came close. And it’s fitting, of course, that of Wolf’s two great mentors, one of them was the man himself, Son House. Charlie Patton taught Wolf how the […]
Clarksdale born Ike Turner was another tour de force that had a profound impact on the music industry. Born in Clarksdale, Ike was a multi-talented musician, songwriter, producer and also an early pioneer of ’50’s rock and roll. He was known for his solo career and better known as Ike and Tina Turner. Ike’s father […]
Along with Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson is one of the most important bluesmen ever. During his brief life, Robert Johnson was frequently in and around Clarksdale. With his second wife, Caletta, he lived here in 1932. Though not documented precisely when and where Robert certainly played music in Clarksdale in the 1930’s. Sometimes he even […]
Sam Cooke is one of the most important performing artists ever. Clarksdale born, he is often known as the King of Soul. He is a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (he was inducted with Elvis, The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Fats Domino, James […]
John Lee Hooker is one of Clarksdale’s most important blues icons. Born here, he was the son of a sharecropper and a Baptist preacher; church spirituals were his earliest music exposure. His earliest musical influences came out of his family at about the time that the first Delta blues was ever recorded. A year older […]
One can not overstate the importance of Son House. He was the most significant blues pioneer of all. Born in Lyon on the outskirts of Clarksdale, the Delta blues form centers on Son (and Charley Patton too).
Perhaps other blues musician has had as much influence on contemporary music culture than Muddy Waters. His effect on blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, hard rock, folk music, jazz and country music is without parallel.