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Big Bill Broonzy

Big Bill Broonzy (born Lee Conley Bradley; June 26, 1893 or 1903 – August 14, 1958) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His career began in the 1920s, when he played country music to mostly African-American audiences. In the 1930s and 1940s, he navigated a change in style to a more urban blues sound popular with working-class black audiences. In the 1950s, a return to his traditional folk-blues roots made him one of the leading figures of the emerging American folk music revival and an international star. His long and varied career marks him as one of the key figures in the development of blues music in the 20th century.

Broonzy copyrighted more than 300 songs, including adaptations of traditional folk songs and original blues songs. As a blues composer, he was unique in writing songs that reflected his rural-to-urban experiences.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 26, 1893 (Scott County), Died August 14, 1958 (Chicago)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar, vocalist, composer, lyricist, songwriter, speaker

Notes: Often billed as Big Bill; composer credits as Williard Broonzy.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-100 of 251 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-049041 10-in. 3/22/1940 Sun gonna shine in my door Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo with instrumental trio composer  
Victor BS-049340 10-in. 7/29/1940 Why did you do that to me? Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-049341 10-in. 7/29/1940 Digging my potatoes—no. 2 Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-049342 10-in. 7/29/1940 Chiselin' blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-049343 10-in. 7/29/1940 Morning dove blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-049344 10-in. 7/29/1940 Good time tonight Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-049345 10-in. 7/29/1940 Dissatisfied blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-049373 10-in. 8/5/1940 Just got to hold you Washboard Sam's Band Instrumental ensemble, with vocal composer  
Victor BS-059127 10-in. 1/16/1941 Ain't you comin' out tonight? Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Female-male vocal duet,, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar, composer  
Victor BS-059128 10-in. 1/16/1941 Come on back Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band composer, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059129 10-in. 1/16/1941 Just to prove I love you Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059130 10-in. 1/16/1941 Every tub stands on its own bottom Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059131 10-in. 1/16/1941 She's makin' a fool out of me Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059132 10-in. 1/16/1941 She's a bad luck woman Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059150 10-in. 1/22/1941 Give your mama one smile Lil Green Trio Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar, composer  
Victor BS-059151 10-in. 1/22/1941 My mellow man Lil Green Trio Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio composer, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059152 10-in. 1/22/1941 Knockin' myself out Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059153 10-in. 1/22/1941 I won't sell my love Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059186 10-in. 1/31/1941 Little leg woman Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059187 10-in. 1/31/1941 She's all in my life Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059188 10-in. 1/31/1941 He's a creepin' man Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059189 10-in. 1/31/1941 I can beat you playing that hand Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059190 10-in. 1/31/1941 Down at the bad man's hall Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059191 10-in. 1/31/1941 Travelling man Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-059433 10-in. 3/20/1941 I'm still walking the highway Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
(Results 76-100 of 251 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Broonzy, Big Bill," accessed May 9, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

Broonzy, Big Bill. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 9, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

"Broonzy, Big Bill." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656

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