Big Boy Henry
Big Boy Henry | |
---|---|
Birth name | Richard Leslie Henry |
Born | Beaufort, Carteret County, North Carolina, United States | May 26, 1921
Died | December 5, 2004 Beaufort, North Carolina, United States | (aged 83)
Genres | Piedmont blues |
Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, human voice |
Years active | 1940s–2004 |
Labels | Audio Arts, Swingmaster, Hometown, Erwin, New Moon, Music Maker |
Richard Leslie Henry (born May 26, 1921 – December 5, 2004),
Life and career
Henry was born in Beaufort, Carteret County, North Carolina.[2] He grew up in New Bern, near the North Carolina coast, in the 1920s and 1930s There he befriended the country blues musician Fred Miller, and first as Miller's apprentice and later as his vocalist, Henry earned a modest living performing at local juke joints and fish suppers.
Miller later relocated to
In 1971, he moved back to Beaufort, where to his surprise younger musicians championed his musical talent. He was soon performing again and writing many new songs, accompanying himself on his Gibson guitar. In later years arthritis affected his guitar playing, so he often improvised, presenting a challenge to the local musicians backing him.[3]
Henry's song "Mr. President",
Henry died in his hometown in December 2004, at the age of 83.[2][3]
Discography
Singles and LPs
- 1983, "Mr. President" / "Cherry Red (I Don't Need No Heater)", Audio Arts 007 (45-rpm)
- 1985, "Mr. Ball's Warehouse", Audio Arts 008 (7-inch EP)
- 1988, I'm Not Lying This Time: His First Recordings 1947–1952, Swingmaster 2114 (Dutch label)
- 1989, Strut His Stuff: His New Recordings, Swingmaster 2117[10]
CD albums
Year | Title | Record label |
---|---|---|
1995 | Poor Man's Blues | New Moon 9508 |
2002 | Beaufort Blues | Music Maker 27 |
1993 | Carolina Blues Jam | Erwin Records 9301 |
References
- ISBN 978-0313344237.
- ^ a b c d e "Illustrated Big Boy Henry Discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ a b c d e Chadbourne, Eugene. "Big Boy Henry: Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ "Big Boy Henry Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ Burke, Tony. "Obituary [with photo of Henry]" (JPG). Wirz.de. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ "Fiddle & Bow Society Presents: Lightnin' Wells | 88.5 WFDD". Wfdd.org. 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
- ^ "Lightnin' Wells Press Kit". Lightninwells.com. 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
- ^ "Big Boy Henry Music Maker Relief Foundation Blues Artists". Musicmaker.org. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ISBN 9780974394701.
- ^ "Illustrated Big Boy Henry Discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- ^ "Big Boy Henry | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-11-20.