Big Joe Williams (October 16, 1903 - December 17, 1982) was an American blues musician and songwriter, known for his characteristic style of guitar-playing, his nine-string guitar, and his bizarre, cantankerous personality. He performed frequently, wandering across the United States and playing stores, bars, alleys and work camps, as well as recording for Okeh, Bluebird Records, Delmark Records, Prestige Records and Vocalion. October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ... 1903 has the latest occurring solstices and equinoxes for 400 years, because the Gregorian calendar hasnt had a leap year for seven years or a century leap year since 1600. ... December 17 is the 351st day of the year (352nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1982 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the emotional state, see Depression (mood). ... The classical guitar typically has 3 nylon and 3 nickel-wound strings. ... Okeh Records began as an independent record label based in the United States of America in 1918; from the late 1920s on was a subsidiary of Columbia Records. ... Bluebird Records was a sub-label of RCA Victor created to counter ARC Records on the 3 records for a dollar market. ... Prestige Records was a record label founded by Bob Weinstock in 1949, initially as New Jazz. ...
BigJoeWilliams from Crawford, Mississippi is not to be confused with the big band singer, JoeWilliams, who sang with Count Basie's Orchestra for seven years.
BigJoe was born October 16, 1903, and became an important figure in the Delta Blues style.
BigJoeWilliams, Bukka White, Tommy McClellan and Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup were the main names of the small number of artists to come out of the Delta and record for Lester Melrose in the early Chicago Blues scene.