Blues History – March

A Month of Blues History
March

This is the history of the blues – one month at a time.

March 3, 1893 – Mississippi John Hurt, American blues singer and guitarist, born in Teoc, Carroll County, Mississippi (d. 1966).

March 6, 1893 – [Walter] Furry Lewis, father of the blues was born on this day.

March 12, 1896 – Jesse “Lone Cat” Fuller, San Francisco Blues Great was born on this day.

March 21, 1902 – Eddie James “Son” House, folk blues musician (Delta Blues) was born on this day.

March 27, 1905 – Leroy Carr, blues singer-songwriter, born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 1935).

March 31, 1908 – Red Norvo, American jazz vibraphonist known as “Mr. Swing” (Congo Blues, Knockin’ on Wood), born in Beardstown, Illinois (d. 1999).

March 15, 1912 – Lightnin’ [Sam] Hopkins, American blues musician (Ball of Twine), born in Centerville, Texas (d. 1982)

March 31, 1913 – Etta Baker, Caldwell County North Carolina, American blues guitarist born

March 30, 1914 – Sonny Boy Williamson I [John Lee], American blues musician (Down & Out Blues), born in Madison County, Tennessee (d. 1948)

March 27, 1915 – Robert Lockwood Jr., American blues guitarist, born in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas (d. 2006)

March 7, 1917 – 1st jazz record released on a 78 by Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company (“Dixie Jazz Band One Step,” one side “Livery Stable Blues” other)

March 20, 1925 – Maxwell Street Jimmy Davis [Charles Thompson], American blues musician (Cold Hands), born in Tippo, Mississippi (d. 1995)

March 5, 1929 – J. B. Lenoir, African American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, active in the 1950s, born in Monticello, Mississippi (d. 1967)

March 27, 1932 – [Herman] Junior Parker, American blues singer and musician (Mystery Train), born in Bobo, Mississippi (d. 1971).

March 4, 1933 – Willie Walker, US jazz singer and guitarist (Dupree Blues), dies at 36.

March 14, 1934 – Shirley Scott, American swing and blues organist (with Stanley Turrentine), born In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 2002).

March 17, 1934 – Q T Macon, blues vocal/guitar born.

March 23, 1937 – Robert Cage, American blues guitarist (From Lake Mary), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2012).

March 27, 1937 – Johnny Copeland, American blues guitarist and singer (Lion’s Den), born in Haynesville, Louisiana (d. 1997).

March 30, 1942 – Graeme Edge, England, rock drummer (Moody Blues-Your Wildest Dreams) born.

March 22, 1943 – George Benson, American jazz/blues singer/guitarist (Greatest Love of All), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

March 26, 1944 – Diana Ross, [Earle], (Supremes, Lady Sings Blues, Mahogany), born in Detroit, Michigan.

March 15, 1947 – Ry[land] Cooder, LA, blues guitarist (Crossroads) born.

March 6, 1951 – Walter Trout, American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter (Canned Heat, Bluesbreakers), born in Ocean City, New Jersey.

March 10, 1953 – Ronnie Earl [Ronald Horvath], American blues guitarist (The Broadcasters), born in Queens, New York.

March 28, 1955 – Reba McEntire, American country singer (Can’t Even Get the Blues), born in McAlester, Oklahoma.

March 28, 1958 – W. C. Handy, American composer and musician known as the “Father of the Blues” (Memphis Blues, St Louis Blues), dies of bronchial pneumonia at 84.

March 29, 1967 – John Popper, American musician (Blues Traveler), born in Chardon, Ohio.

March 27, 1970 – Brendan Hill, American-English drummer (Blues Traveler), born in London.

March 5, 1973 – Rupert Crosse, actor (Too Late Blues), dies of cancer at 45.

March 28, 1974 – Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist (That’s Alright), dies of a heart attack at 68.

March 16, 1975 – T-Bone Walker, blues guitarist (Funky Town, Well Done), dies at 64.

March 11, 1986 – Sonny Terry, American bind Piedmont blues musician, dies at 74.

March 18, 1990 – Robin Harris, actor (House Party, Mo’ Better Blues), dies at 36.

March 14, 1991 – Doc Pomus [Jerome Solon Felder], American blues singer and songwriter (Save the Last Dance for Me), dies at 65.

March 4, 1993 – Art Hodes, Russ/US jazz/blues pianist/editor (Jazz Record), dies.

March 6, 1994 – Moses Rascoe, American blues singer, dies at 77.

March 17, 1995 – Sunnyland Smart, jazz/blues singer/pianist (Delta Blues), dies at 87.

March 24, 1995 – Joey Long, blues/cajun guitarist, dies at 62.

March 4, 2009 – John Cephas, American Piedmont blues guitarist (b. 1930).

March 20, 2009 – Mel Brown, American/Canadian Blues Guitarist (b. 1939).

March 21, 2011 – Pinetop Perkins dies, Member of the Blues Hall of Fame (b. 1913).

March 10, 2014 – Shirley Scott, American swing and blues organist (with Stanley Turrentine), dies of heart failure at 67.

March 10, 2016 – Ernestine Anderson, American jazz vocalist and blues singer, dies at 87.

March 16, 2017 – James Cotton, American blues vocalist and harmonica player, dies at 81.