Bob Dunn

Robert Lee Dunn (February 5, 1908 – May 27, 1971) was a pioneer Western swing steel guitarist. Influenced by influential Hawaiian lap steel guitar player Sol Hoʻopiʻi, Dunn played in his own original bluesy style and was one of the first to record an electric guitar, preceding other country & western guitarists following him shortly. He preceded by over three years George Barnes (with Big Bill Broonzy in 1938), Leonard Ware and, slightly later, Eddie Durham.

On January 27, 1935, Dunn became one of the first musicians to record an electrically amplified instrument as a member of Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies.

Dunn also played steel guitar in numerous other Western swing groups including those of Cliff Bruner and one of Moon Mullican's earlier bands. Dunn also had his own group, The Vagabonds, featuring Mullican and Cliff Bruner.

Dunn was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1992.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 5, 1908 (Braggs), Died May 27, 1971 (Houston)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1935 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: steel guitar, electric steel guitar, electric guitar, vocalist, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 294 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-071175 10-in. 10/11/1941 We're happy in the U.S.A. Modern Mountaineers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Victor BS-071176 10-in. 10/11/1941 Takin' off Modern Mountaineers String band composer, instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Victor BS-071177 10-in. 10/11/1941 I still think of you Modern Mountaineers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Victor BS-071178 10-in. 10/11/1941 Baby, you've let me down Modern Mountaineers String band, with male vocal solo and vocal ensemble instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Victor BS-071179 10-in. 10/11/1941 A prisoner's adieu Modern Mountaineers String band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Decca 60610 10-in. 3/3/1936 Somebody's been using that thing Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60611 10-in. 3/3/1936 The Sheik of Araby Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60612 10-in. 3/3/1936 Beale Street Mama Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60613 10-in. 3/3/1936 Mama don't allow it Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60614 10-in. 3/3/1936 Our baby boy Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60615 10-in. 3/3/1936 Mexicali rose Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60616 10-in. 3/3/1936 Stay on the right side sister Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60617 10-in. 3/3/1936 If you can't get five, take two Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60618 10-in. 3/3/1936 Cielito lindo (Beautiful heaven) Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60619 10-in. 3/3/1936 The waltz you saved for me Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60620 10-in. 3/3/1936 The eyes of Texas Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60621 10-in. 3/3/1936 I had someone else before I had you Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60622 10-in. 3/3/1936 I've got the blues for Mammy Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60623 10-in. 3/3/1936 Texas hambone blues Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60624 10-in. 3/3/1936 Easy ridin' Papa Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60625 10-in. 3/3/1936 Am I blue Milton Brown instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60626 10-in. 3/4/1936 The wheel of the wagon is broken Brownies [Milton Brown] instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60627 10-in. 3/4/1936 Memphis blues Brownies [Milton Brown] instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60628 10-in. 3/4/1936 Somebody stole my gal Brownies [Milton Brown] instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 60629 10-in. 3/4/1936 Under the double eagle Brownies [Milton Brown] instrumentalist, steel guitar  
(Results 26-50 of 294 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dunn, Bob," accessed November 2, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144.

Dunn, Bob. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144.

"Dunn, Bob." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.