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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 201-225 of 251 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D7VB-0377 10-in. 3/28/1947 Apple tree swing Sonny Boy Williamson Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1078 10-in. 10/16/1947 Facing life Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) ; Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1079 10" 10/16/1947 No special rider Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) ; Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1080 10" 10/16/1947 Ramblin with that woman Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) ; Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1081 10-in. 10/16/1947 Love me or let me be Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) ; Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1132 10-in. 11/4/1947 She's just my size Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1133 10-in. 11/4/1947 You know how I feel Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1134 10-in. 11/4/1947 Fool about that woman Washboard Sam Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1135 10-in. 11/4/1947 Dollar is your best friend Washboard Band (Washboard Sam) Male vocal solo, with washboard band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2319 10-in. 12/2/1947 Rock me baby Lil Green ; Lil Green Orchestra Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble composer  
Victor D7VB-2362 10-in. 12/10/1947 Farewell, little girl Dr. Clayton's Buddy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2363 10-in. 12/10/1947 Broke and hungry Dr. Clayton's Buddy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2364 10-in. 12/10/1947 Illinois central Dr. Clayton's Buddy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2365 10-in. 12/10/1947 Nappy head woman Dr. Clayton's Buddy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar, composer  
Victor D7VB-2390 10-in. 12/31/1947 Across the hall blues Dr. Clayton's Buddy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2391 10-in. 12/31/1947 Walking with the blues Dr. Clayton's Buddy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2392 10-in. 12/31/1947 Sweet Lucy blues Dr. Clayton's Buddy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2393 10-in. 12/31/1947 No whiskey blues Dr. Clayton's Buddy Male vocal solo, with instrumental quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
Brunswick JK1039 10-in. 4/8/1930 I can’t be satisfied Big Bil Male vocal solo, with guitar and piano vocalist  
Chess U7508 10-in. 1953 Little city woman Big Bill Broonzy composer, vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Chess U7509 10-in. 1953 Lonesome Big Bill Broonzy vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar, composer  
Chess U7512 10-in. 1953 Bright eyes Washboard Sam instrumentalist, guitar  
Chess U7513 10-in. 1953 Diggin' my potatoes Washboard Sam instrumentalist, guitar  
Gennett 16569 10-in. 5/2/1930 I can't be satisfied Big Bill Johnson Male vocal solo, with 2 guitars instrumentalist, guitar, vocalist  
Gennett 16570 10-in. 5/2/1930 Bowleg blues Big Bill Johnson Male vocal solo, with 2 guitars instrumentalist, guitar, vocalist  
(Results 201-225 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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