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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 176-200 of 232 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-074653 10-in. 7/30/1942 Tell me, mama Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074654 10-in. 7/30/1942 Deep water blues Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074655 10-in. 7/30/1942 You're tearin' your playhouse down Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074656 10-in. 7/30/1942 Love me, baby Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with harmonica, guitar, piano, and imitation string bass instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074657 10-in. 7/30/1942 What's getting wrong with you? Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with harmonica, guitar, piano, and imitation string bass instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074658 10-in. 7/30/1942 Blues that made me drunk Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with harmonica, guitar, piano, and imitation string bass instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074659 10-in. 7/30/1942 Come on baby and take a walk Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with harmonica, guitar, piano, and imitation string bass instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074682 10-in. 7/31/1942 Don't have to sing the blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074683 10-in. 7/31/1942 Red River Dam blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074684 10-in. 7/31/1942 Down South woman blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074685 10-in. 7/31/1942 Ain't that a shame Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band composer, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074686 10-in. 7/31/1942 I laid my cards on the table Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-074687 10-in. 7/31/1942 I get the blues at bedtime Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band composer, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D5AB-0312 10-in. 2/26/1945 Go back to the country Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D5AB-0313 10-in. 2/26/1945 Five feet four Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar, composer  
Victor D5AB-0314 10-in. 2/26/1945 Afraid to trust them Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D5AB-0315 10-in. 2/26/1945 Whiskey head buddies Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D6VB-1950 10-in. 9/18/1946 Roll dem bones Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
Victor D7VB-0316 10-in. 2/18/1947 You can't make the grade Washboard Sam ; Washboard Sam's Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0317 10-in. 2/18/1947 You can't have none of that Washboard Sam ; Washboard Sam's Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0318 10-in. 2/18/1947 I just couldn't help it Washboard Sam ; Washboard Sam's Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0319 10-in. 2/18/1947 Soap and water blues Washboard Sam ; Washboard Sam's Band Male vocal solo, with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0374 10-in. 3/28/1947 Mellow chick swing Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0375 10-in. 3/28/1947 Polly put your kettle on Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0376 10-in. 3/28/1947 Lacey Belle Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
(Results 176-200 of 232 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Broonzy, Big Bill," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

Broonzy, Big Bill. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

"Broonzy, Big Bill." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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