Son House

Eddie James, Jr - Witness To The Blues:
Son House thought he was going to be a preacher. A change of fortune introduced him to the heart of Mississippi Delta Blues, the bottleneck slide guitar and a murder charge that put him in the Mississippi's infamous prison, Parchman Farm.

Born:
March 21, 1902(?)

Died:
October 19, 1988

Birthplace:
Riverton, Mississippi

Listen:
John the Revelator
Louise Mcghee
Death Letter
Pearline

Blues Mentor:
He never had a "hit" record, but is known more for his influence on young Bluesman who would become superstars. Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters were but two examples. Today, you can hear his slashing bottleneck style in the music of John Hammond and John Mooney.

Son House recorded with Alan Lomax in 1941 for the Library of Congress series.

As a result of his lack of commercial recording success, Son House quit music for many years and moved to Rochester, N.Y. until he was rediscovered by legendary Blues Champion Dick Waterman, and given a musical refresher course by Canned Heat founder Alan Wilson. House enjoyed a slight revival in the 1960's but his commercial success never equaled his powerful influence.

Son House learned music in the church, but it was the old "shaped note" system of writing music.

Son House was a true Delta Bluesman. He grew up near Clarksdale, Mississippi and is credited with defining the distinctive slide guitar style. Along with Charlie Patton and Willie Brown, he experimented with a glass medicine bottle or copper pipe to get the slide effect. They developed a way to play a melody line on the slide while playing a rhythm pattern as accompaniment.

Son House died in Detroit, Michigan on 19 October 1988 of cancer.