HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Charlie Patton

Birth of the Blues: Charlie Patton

Charlie Patton

Charlie (Charley) Patton was a Delta blues guitarist born perhaps in April 1891 in Hinds County, Mississippi. Though writing blues songs as early as 1910 he didn't record anything until June 14, 1929, sixteen sides for Paramount Records in Richmond, Indiana, including 'Pony Blues' and 'Banty Rooster Blues' released on Paramount 12792. He issued Parts 1 and 2 of 'Prayer of Death' as Elder J.J. Hadley.

'Down the Dirt Road Blues' Charlie Patton

14 June 1929 in Richmond IN Matrix 15215 Paramount 12854

Composition: Patton

'Pony Blues' Charlie Patton

14 June 1929 in Richmond IN Matrix 15216 Paramount 12792

Composition: Patton

'Shake It and Break It' Charlie Patton

14 June 1929 in Richmond IN Matrix 15224 Paramount 12869

Composition: Patton

'Rattlesnake Blues' Charlie Patton w Henry Sims (violin)

C Oct 1929 in Grafton WI Matrix L-63-2 Paramount 12924

Composition: Patton

'Moon Goin' Down' Charlie Patton w Willie Brown (guitar)

28 May 1930 in Grafton WI Matrix L-432-1 Paramount 13014

Composition: Patton

Patton married blues singer, Bertha Lee, in 1930. Their union, however, would be a brief one, as Patton died an early death four years later on April 28, 1934, of mitral valve disorder. His headstone was purchased by Creedence Clearwater vocalist, John Fogerty, fifty-six years later in 1990.