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Lead Belly: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As Huddie William Ledbetter • Leadbelly
Born January 23, 1889? • Louisiana
Died December 6, 1949 • New York City • New York
Awards And Honors Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (1988)

Photos

Hudie Ledbetter, known as Leadbelly, sits in a suit playing a 12-string guitar at Bank Street School in New York City, surrounded by children listening.
A singer of folk and blues
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Blind Lemon Jefferson, c. 1928
Blind Lemon Jefferson
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McGhee (right) with Sonny Terry
Brownie McGhee
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Elmore James, wearing a suit and tie, sits holding an electric guitar, looking slightly to the side in a black-and-white portrait.
Elmore James
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Tommy Johnson
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Bonnie Raitt smiling at an event in 2012, wearing a brown collared blouse with her red hair styled in loose waves.
Bonnie Raitt
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Big Bill Broonzy
Big Bill Broonzy
American blues singer and guitarist
Lonnie Johnson
Lonnie Johnson
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Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
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Celebrating Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson
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Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
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T-Bone Walker
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Jimmy Reed
American musician
Eric Clapton plays an electric guitar onstage, eyes closed, wearing glasses and a dark shirt, with drums and bright stage lights in the background.
Eric Clapton
British musician
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Richard Dyer-Bennet
American musician
Bruce Springsteen plays an acoustic guitar and sings into a microphone on stage at the New York Film Festival Spotlight Gala.
Bruce Springsteen
American singer, songwriter, and bandleader
Dolly Parton smiles while holding a microphone, wearing a green outfit with sparkling details, in front of a red background.
Dolly Parton
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Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
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Prince stands on stage in a turquoise suit, holding a purple, symbol-shaped guitar above his head, during his Super Bowl XLI halftime performance.
Prince
American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
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Ray Charles
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