Son House

American musician

Also known as: Eddie House

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June 29, 2026

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Eddie James "Son" House Jr. was an influential American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was a key figure in the development of the Mississippi Delta blues style, known for his raw, powerful vocals and intense slide guitar playing. House's music often conveyed themes of hardship and spirituality, and he was a significant influence on later blues and rock musicians, including Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Eric Clapton. His career spanned several decades, with periods of both prominence and obscurity, but his recordings remain seminal examples of early blues music.12

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blues
History and notable musicians
…is represented by Charley Patton, Eddie (“Son”) House, and Robert Johnson, among others.
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…is represented by Charley Patton, Eddie (“Son”) House, and Robert Johnson, among others.
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Robert Johnson
Remarkable talent and crossroads myth
Brown, Charley Patton, and Son House—all of whom influenced his playing and none of whom was particularly impressed by his talent. They were dazzled by his musical ability, however, when he returned to town after spending as much as a year away. That time away is central to Johnson’s…
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Brown, Charley Patton, and Son House—all of whom influenced his playing and none of whom was particularly impressed by his talent. They were dazzled by his musical ability, however, when he returned to town after spending as much as a year away. That time away is central to Johnson’s…
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Why Is Blues Called the Devil’s Music?
Two sides of the same coin?
For example, Son House, born in Mississippi about 1902, became a preacher when he was a teenager and initially scorned blues music and guitar playing. By his mid-20s he was playing the blues. Yet his song repertoire reveals a lingering inner conflict. In one version of his…
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For example, Son House, born in Mississippi about 1902, became a preacher when he was a teenager and initially scorned blues music and guitar playing. By his mid-20s he was playing the blues. Yet his song repertoire reveals a lingering inner conflict. In one version of his…
Read More