Wells was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Arkansas. Wells moved to Chicago in 1948 and first made his mark at age 18 playing in Muddy Waters' band. He later worked with Buddy Guy in the 1960s and recorded for Delmark Records. His most memorable songs are "Messin' With the Kid" and "Little b

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Lead Belly was born January 23, 1888, although his gravestone gives his year of birth as 1889. Lead Belly's date of birth has been a matter of debate. The earliest year had been given at 1885, although other sources stated either 1888 or 1889. According to the 1900 census, Hudy (the spelling given in

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Smith was born Mamie Robinson in Cincinnati, Ohio. She toured with African-American vaudeville and minstrel shows until settling in New York City in 1913, where she worked as a cabaret singer. She appeared in songwriter Perry Bradford's musical "Made in Harlem" in 1918. In early 1920, Okeh Records

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Jefferson is believed to have been born in Coutchman, Texas, near Wortham, the son of Alex and Clarricy Jefferson. It was long believed by most that he was born in 1897 (although some accounts varied the date by up to 10 years), but research a century later revealed a census record that listed his bi

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