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Elmore James

 


Blues legend, song writer and guitarist Elmore Brooks (Elmore James) was born in Richland, Holmes County, Mississippi on January 27, 1918. He is regarded as the king of the slide guitar, and was renowned for his loud amplification.

He became interested in music age 12 and in his teens performed as Cleanhead and Joe Willie James. His main influences were Robert Johnson, Kokomo Arnold and Tampa Red. By the late 1930s he was working with Sonny Boy Williamson. He served with the U. S. Navy in World War II and fought at Guam. In 1951 he made his recording debut, recording “Dust My Broom” in August 1951, which became a hit the following year.

Elmore James died of a heart attack in Chicago, Illinois on May 24, 1963, aged 45 years. Phil Walden of Capricorn Records raised funds for a headstone for his grave, which was installed in 1992.

Image: WUMB Radio

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