Photo by Charles Peterson courtesy of Don Peterson
SHINE A LIGHT ON ME: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF LEAD BELLY The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and Case Western Reserve University will celebrate the legacy of Lead Belly in the Ninth Annual American Music Masters Series this November. Lead Belly, one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. An emblem of authentic American Folk music, Lead Belly had an inestimable impact on folk, blues and rock and roll musicians alike. Artists as diverse as Muddy Waters, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, Neil Young, Keb' Mo, George Harrison, Frank Sinatra, Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash and countless others have noted the influence that he had on their own music. Lead Belly will be honored with a weeklong series of events beginning Nov. 1 and culminating with a tribute concert on Nov. 7.
Lead Belly lived a life that included poverty and long stretches in prison to become an emblem of authentic American music. He is renowned for his songs - the best known of which include Rock Island Line, Goodnight, Irene, The Midnight Special and Cotton Fields - as well as his prowess on the 12-string guitar. In his sixty-plus years, he essentially lived two distinctly different lives: first, as a field worker, blues singer, rambling man and prisoner in the rural South; second, as a city-dwelling folksinger, performer and recording artist in the urban North.
In the last years of his life, Lead Belly's music became increasingly crucial to a new generation of folk artists. As politics and music became evermore intertwined, Lead Belly provided a model of involvement. Like Guthrie, he played at political rallies and union meetings, continuing until his death in 1949 of Lou Gehrig's disease.
The highlight of the series is the tribute concert at Cleveland's Severance Hall on Sunday, Nov. 7. Performers include Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Los Lobos, Odetta, Dave Alvin, Robert Lockwood, Jr. and others.
The week-long series of events includes the opening of a new Lead Belly exhibit at the rock hall, an interdisciplinary conference sponsored by CWRU, movie screenings, and concerts by Oscar Brand, Josh White Jr. and Dan Zanes. For a complete schedule, click here.
Posted by Bob Burford at September 24, 2004 3:40 PM
Comments
Huddie Ledbetter's influence can be heard across a number of musical genre. NPR lists "Goodnight Irene as one of "The 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century." Pete Seeger's tribute, warm and humorus can be heard on a number of his recordings. PBS "American Roots Music" is a good introduction to Huddie Ledbetter's music (particularly if you have the book which accompanies the series). Lead Belly answers the question asked above regarding the relevance of the role of the musician in the public expression political and social ideas.
Posted by: David Lull at October 2, 2004 2:33 PM
After 1950s rock 'n roll many followed the Beatles some of us followed Leadbelly and the whole of folk and blues music that opened up. He was as big an influence on me as Elvis. Although he is usually thought of on his 12 string I think one of his best tracks is Eagle Rock Rag on the piano.
Posted by: Steve Priestley at October 6, 2004 4:20 AM
Either I'm thick as a post or this is the most commercial link I've run across. Every time i click on a song i want to listen it just either takes me someplace to listen to 30 seconds of music or someplace trying to sell me a CD and no music. FANTASTIC deal ???
Posted by: Barrie Blake at October 12, 2004 2:38 AM
Barrie,
I'm not sure what link you are referring to. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a non profit organization - and the Lead Belly link is very non commercial. I would appreciate more info on your comment/complaint. Thanks.
Posted by: Robert J. Burford at October 12, 2004 9:21 AM
Registered users can post comments in the blog. Please register or log in to share your views.
Lead Belly Tribute at Rock Hall
