Big Joe Williams Born: 1903 Died: 1982

Born Joe Lee Williams in 1903 at Crawford, Mississippi, Big Joe was one of the few bluesmen who continued working steadily through the depression and beyond.

Although he is considered a Memphis musician he traveled widely throughout the country playing on street corners, bars, picnics and work camps.  He settled in St. Louis briefly in 1931, then was incarcerated in Angola Prison for a short period.   In 1935 Williams first began to record under his own name.  He recorded for Bluebird, Prestige, Okeh, Delmark and Vocalion sometimes with such people as a very young Muddy Waters, guitarist Robert Lee McCoy and harmonica player Sonny Boy Williamson (aka The Original Sonny Boy or Sonny Boy Williamson I).

Big Joe is often remembered for his customized guitars.  He played a nine string guitar to which he later added a home-made electric pickup.  Although his guitar playing is fairly complex his singing style plants him firmly in the camp of the country / Delta blues.  Playing with a thumb and forefinger stroking motion he managed to play lead and rhythm simultaneously.

In 1941 Joe recorded "Baby Please Don't Go" which would be his signature song.  In 1951 Joe went to Jackson, Mississippi and continued to record with a small label named "Trumpet".

In 1957 Big Joe's luck turned.  With the early onset of the "blues revival" Joe was able to release an entire album on Delmark called "Piney Wood Blues".  Gaining popularity, especially in Europe he was able to travel there as well as play / record with Bob Dylan.

He worked well into old age and died in Macon, Missippi at the age of 79.

Big Joe Williams and Family