Elmore James (January 27, 1918 – May 24, 1963) was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and band leader.He was known as King of the Slide Guitar, but he was also noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice. James was born Elmore Brooks in Richland, Holmes County, Mississippi, the illegitimate son of 15-year-old Leola Brooks, a field hand. His father was probably Joe Willie Frost James, who moved in with Leola, and so Elmore took this as his name. Elmore began making music at the age of 12 using a simple one-string instrument (diddley bow or jitterbug) strung up on a shack wall. As a teen he was playing at local dances under the names Cleanhead and Joe Willie James. His first marriage, circa 1942, was to Minnie Mae. He subsequently married at least twice more. James was strongly influenced by Robert Johnson, as well as by Kokomo Arnold and Tampa Red. James recorded several of Tampas songs, and even inherited from his band two of his famous Broomdusters, Little Johnny Jones (piano) and Odie Payne (drums). There is a dispute as to whether Robert Johnson or Elmore wrote James trademark song, Dust My Broom. During World War II, James joined the United States Navy, was promoted to coxswain and took part in the invasion of Guam. Upon his discharge, James returned to central Mississippi and settled in the town of Canton with his adopted brother Robert Holston. Working in Roberts electrical shop, he devised his unique electric sound, using parts from the shop and an unusual placement of two DArmond pickups. Around this time James learned that he had a serious heart condition. He began recording with Trumpet Records in nearby Jackson in January 1951, first as sideman to the second Sonny Boy Williamson and also to their mutual friend Willie Love and possibly others, then debuting as a session leader in August with Dust My Broom, which was a surprise R&B hit in 1952. He broke his recording contract with Trumpet Records to sign up with the Bihari Brothers through their scout Ike Turner who played guitar and piano on a couple of his early Bihari recordings. His I Believe was another hit a year later.During the 1950s he recorded for the Bihari brothers Flair Records, Meteor Records and Modern Records labels, as well as for Chess Records and Mel Londons Chief Records. He played lead guitar on Joe Turners 1954 top 10 R&B hit TV Mama. His backing musicians were known as the Broomdusters. In 1959, he began recording for Bobby Robinsons Fire Records label. These include The Sky Is Crying, My Bleeding Heart, Stranger Blues, Look on Yonder Wall, Done Somebody Wrong, and Shake Your Moneymaker https://youtube/watch?v=hKEdlSTHjtU
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:18:32 +0000
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