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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 - 1947

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 151-175 of 232 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-070460 10-in. 12/8/1941 Deep sea diver Kansas Katie Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070461 10-in. 12/8/1941 He's my man Kansas Katie Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070800 10-in. 1/21/1942 I have a place to go Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070801 10-in. 1/21/1942 If you want to share your love Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070802 10-in. 1/21/1942 If I'm a fool Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070803 10-in. 1/21/1942 I'm wasting my time on you Lil Green Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074058 10-in. 2/10/1942 Rockin' my blues away Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074059 10-in. 2/10/1942 Good old cabbage greens Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BS-074060 10-in. 2/10/1942 River hip mama Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074061 10-in. 2/10/1942 Do that shake dance Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BS-074062 10-in. 2/10/1942 How can you love me Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074063 10-in. 2/10/1942 Cry on baby Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074064 10-in. 2/10/1942 Dark road blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074065 10-in. 2/10/1942 Stop and fix it Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074160 10-in. 3/25/1942 St. Louis woman blues St. Louis Jimmy Oden Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074161 10-in. 3/25/1942 Poor boy blues St. Louis Jimmy Oden Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074162 10-in. 3/25/1942 Back on my feet again St. Louis Jimmy Oden Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074163 10-in. 3/25/1942 Nothing but blues St. Louis Jimmy Oden Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074164 10-in. 3/25/1942 Soon forget you St. Louis Jimmy Oden Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074165 10-in. 3/25/1942 Can't stand your evil ways St. Louis Jimmy Oden Male vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074648 10-in. 7/30/1942 I'm gonna leave you on the outskirts of town Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074649 10-in. 7/30/1942 I couldn't help it Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074650 10-in. 7/30/1942 My big money Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074651 10-in. 7/30/1942 Woke up cold in hand Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074652 10-in. 7/30/1942 Water pipe blues Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
(Results 151-175 of 232 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Broonzy, Big Bill," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

Broonzy, Big Bill. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

"Broonzy, Big Bill." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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