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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 126-150 of 251 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-064740 10-in. 7/24/1941 Maybe you'll love me too Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with washtub band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-064741 10-in. 7/24/1941 It looks bad for you Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with washtub band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-064742 10-in. 7/24/1941 Me and my buddy Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with washtub band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070196 10-in. 1/21/1942 99 blues Lil Green Trio Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070197 10-in. 1/21/1942 Don't know what I will do Lil Green Trio Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070198 10-in. 1/21/1942 You got me to the place Lil Green Trio Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070199 10-in. 1/21/1942 Keep your hand on your heart Lil Green Trio Female vocal solo, with instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar, composer  
Victor BS-070375 10-in. 11/4/1941 Let me play your vender Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070376 10-in. 11/4/1941 Broadcast blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070377 10-in. 11/4/1941 Gonna hit the highway Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070378 10-in. 11/4/1941 I've been treated wrong Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070379 10-in. 11/4/1941 Evil blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070380 10-in. 11/4/1941 Get down brother Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070381 10-in. 11/4/1941 Lovers' Lane blues Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070382 10-in. 11/4/1941 You stole my love Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070440 10-in. 12/5/1941 It's all over now Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070441 10-in. 12/5/1941 War time blues Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070442 10-in. 12/5/1941 You are doing me wrong Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070443 10-in. 12/5/1941 One letter home Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070444 10-in. 12/5/1941 Down South blues Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070445 10-in. 12/5/1941 You drink too much whiskey Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070446 10-in. 12/5/1941 No friend blues Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070447 10-in. 12/5/1941 From now on Jazz Gillum Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070458 10-in. 12/8/1941 Don't you know me Kansas Katie Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-070459 10-in. 12/8/1941 I can't let you go Kansas Katie Female vocal solo, with guitar and piano instrumentalist, guitar  
(Results 126-150 of 251 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Broonzy, Big Bill," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

Broonzy, Big Bill. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656.

"Broonzy, Big Bill." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/108656

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