Washboard Sam
Albums
Washboard Sam was a pivotal figure in the late '30s and 1940s on the Chicago prewar blues scene, taking country hokum concepts to the city and to the edge of R&B and even [more]
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Appearances
This CD is a hodgepodge sampling of blues records featuring mostly pre-war slide guitarists ranging from the simplicity of Barbecue Bob (who was much [more]
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The State Street Swingers were a primitive but swinging group formed in the mold of the more successful Harlem Hamfats in the mid-'30s. Their seven recording sessions (resulting [more]
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Despite its uneven fidelity, {Country Blues Collector's Items (1930-1941)} is a fascinating collection of early country blues from the likes of Tommy [more]
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![Roots of Rock [Acrobat]](/cache/JHS/g9/130x130_g90622tpcmi.jpg)
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![Parchman Farm Blues [Roots 2004]](/cache/JHS/g4/130x130_g43274b4cv8.jpg)
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Biography
- Born Jul 15th 1910 in Walnut Ridge, AR
- Died Nov 13th 1966 in Chicago, IL
- Styles
- Pre-War Country Blues
- Instrument(s)
A popular hokum blues artist, Washboard Sam recorded hundreds of records in the late '30s and '40s, usually with singer/guitarist Big Bill Broonzy. Out of all the washboard players of the era, Sam was the most popular, which was due not only to his to his washboard talent, but also his skills as a songwriter, as well as his strong voice. As an accompanist, Washboard Sam not only played with Broonzy, but also with bluesmen like Bukka White, Memphis Slim, Willie Lacey, and Jazz Gillum.
Washboard Sam (born Robert Brown) was the illegitimate son of Frank Broonzy, who also fathered Big Bill Broonzy. Sam was raised in Arkansas, working on a farm. He moved to Memphis in the early '20s to play the blues. While in Memphis, he met Sleepy John Estes and Hammie Nixon and the trio played street corners, collecting tips from passer-bys. In 1932, Washboard Sam moved to Chicago. Initially he played for tips, but soon he began performing regularly with Big Bill Broonzy. Within a few years, Sam was supporting Broonzy on the guitarist's Bluebird recordings. Soon, he was supporting a number of different musicians on their recording sessions, including pianist Memphis Slim, bassist Ransom Knowlin, and a handful of saxophone players, who all recorded for Bluebird.
In 1935, Washboard Sam began recording for both Bluebird and Vocalion Records, often supported by Big Bill Broonzy. Throughout the rest of the '30s and the '40s, Sam was one of the most popular Chicago bluesmen, selling numerous records and playing to packed audiences. After World War II, his audience began to shrink, largely because he had difficulty adapting to the new electric blues. In 1953, Washboard Sam recorded a session for Chess Records and then retired. In the early '60s, Willie Dixon and Memphis Slim tried to persuade Sam to return to the stage to capitalize on the blues revival. Initially, he refused, but in 1963 began perfoming concerts in clubs and coffeehouses in Chicago; he even played a handful of dates in Europe in early 1964.
Washboard Sam made his final recordings for the small Chicago-based label Spivey in 1964. The following year, his health quickly declined and he stopped recording and playing shows. In November of 1966, he died of heart disease. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
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