Charlie Patton (May 1, 1891–April 28, 1934) was an American delta blues musician, and one of the first mainstream stars of the genre. He was extremely popular across the U.S. South, and was invited to perform at plantations and taverns (in contrast to most other blues musicians, who were itinerant wanderers).

Considered By many to be the Father of Delta Blues.

Robert Palmer in Deep Blues, one of the finest literary depiction of the blues, wrote about Charlie Patton creating an enduring body of American music and personally inspiring just about every Delta blues man and considered him among the most important musicians that America produced in the twentieth century.

Although he was really small at about 5 foot 5 and 135 pounds he sounded like a very much larger man. It was rumored that his voice could carry for over 500 yards without amplification. The sound of his whiskey and cigarette scarred voice would be a major influence in the singing style of one of his students Howlin Wolf.

Long before Jimi Hendrix he was the entertainer's entertainer with dazzling showmanship playing guitar on his knees and behind his head when the spirit moved him which was often.

Bibliography

King of the Delta Blues, The Life and Music of Charlie Patton

Stephen Calt and Gayle Wardlow

1988

ISBN 0961861002

Deep Blues

Robert Palmer

1995

ISBN 0140062238

External links

Charlie Patton by R. Crumb brief bio by R. Crumb

• Artist profile @ Allmusic.com
• An excerpted bio @ southernmusic.net
• Charlie Patton by Cub Koda
• Charlie Patton (MP3)