Sonny Boy Williamson I

Sonny Boy Williamson I

Source: Biography

Born on 20 March 1914 in Jackson, Tennessee, mouth harp player, Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee Curtis Williamson) also played guitar. There is no relation between Sonny Boy Williamson I and Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller). As it is not uncommon for images of Rice Miller to be mistaken for Williamson such may occur at a few of the links provided below. Among numerous songs written by Williamson I were 'I Have Got to Go' and 'My Black Name Blues'.

Williamson I traveled north to Chicago in 1934. He made his debut recordings on May 5, 1937, at the Leland Hotel in Aurora, Illinois, that backing Robert Lee McCoy (Robert Nighthawk also known as Rambling Bob) on 'Prowling Night-Hawk' (Bluebird B6995) with Big Joe Williams. American Music (AM) follows that on the same date with Williamson's first name session backed by McCoy and Williams on 'Skinny Woman' / 'Got the Bottle Up and Gone' (Bluebird 7012) [disco]. AM then has McCoy and Williamson backing Williams' 'I Know You Gonna Miss Me' / 'Brother James' (Bluebird B7022). That trio also recorded on May 5: Williams' 'Rootin' Ground Hog' / 'I Won't Be in Hard Luck No More' (Bluebird B7065), Williamson's 'Blue Bird Blues' / 'Jackson Blues' (Bluebird 7098), and McCoy's 'Sweet Pepper Mama' (Bluebird B7090) with 'Tough Luck' (Bluebird B7115). Williamson recorded numerously with both McCoy and Williams over the years.

Composition: Williamson

Composition: Williamson

Composition: McCoy

Sonny Boy also recorded widely in either supporting or leading capacities with other blues artists such as Henry Townsend on 11 November 1937, he and McCoy backing Townsend on 'All I've Got's Gone' and 'A Ramblin' Mind'. He joined Yank Rachell (mandolin) and Elijah Jones (guitar) on 13 March 1938 toward such as 'Rachel Blues' and 'Only Boy Child'. Come Speckled Red (Rufus George Perryman) at piano on 17 December 1938 to support Williamson on 'Low Down Ways' issued on Bluebird B-7979. It was Big Bill Broonzy at electric guitar on 21 July 1939 toward several titles including 'Good For Nothing Blues' and 'Honey Bee Blues'. He and Washboard Sam contributed to titles by Rachell on 3 April 1941. Tampa Red contributed guitar to tracks gone down on 19 Oct 1945 per 'Early In the Morning' and 'You're an Old Lady'.

Composition: Rachell

Composition: Williamson

Composition: Williamson

Composition: Williamson

Composition: Williamson

Composition: Williams

Composition: Williamson

Sonny Boy's last known recordings were made in Aurora, Illinois, on December 18, 1947, in support of Big Joe Williams' 'Banta Rooster Blues', 'House Lady Blues', 'King Biscuit Stomp', 'Don't You Leave Me Here', 'P Vine Blues' and 'I'm a Highway Man'. Those were issued per Columbia 30119, Columbia 38190, Columbia 30129 and Columbia 30191.

Composition: Williams

Williamson's career got clipped short upon being murdered on June 1, 1948, during a robbery as he was walking home from a performance at the Plantation Club, he only 34 years of age.