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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZJAMES, Elmore(b 27 Jan. '18, Richland MS; d 24 May '63, Chicago) Blues singer, guitarist; taught himself on home-made lard can instrument; influenced by Robert Johnson and Kokomo Arnold, he modernized the Delta blues for all time, influencing in turn J. B. Hutto, B. B. King, Jimi Hendrix, many others. Worked in jukes, sawmills, etc; served in US Navy '43-- 5; on radio's King Biscuit Time '47; often outside music; did not record until '51--2 on Trumpet in Jackson MS, Meteor in Chicago (had R&B hits 'Dust My Broom' '52 on Trumpet, 'I Believe' '53 on Meteor), then with own Broomdusters on Checker, Flair, etc from '53. Further chart entries 'The Sky Is Crying' '60 on Fire, 'It Hurts Me Too' '65 on Enjoy. The Classic Early Recordings 1951--1956 on three-CD sets on Ace and Flair; with Jimmy Reed and Eddie Taylor on Street Talkin' on Muse; many other compilations on Ace, Collectables, Rhino, Tomato. |