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From the Prison Cell to the Top of the Charts

Friday, August 01, 2008

Louisiana Bluesman Lead Belly was discovered in a penitentiary in 1934 and went on to become an inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and influence many rock stars, from Keith Richards and Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain. The new book Lead Belly: A Life in Pictures, unveils details of his life together with unpublished photographs and letters, much of which was in a basement truck in Brooklyn. Editor John Reynolds joins us to share some of its highlights.

Our blog: John Schaefer on why Lead Belly was more than a blues singer.

Slideshow: View images from "Lead Belly: A Life in Pictures"

Lead Belly: A Life in Pictures" is available for purchase at Steidl website
More about Lead Belly: A Life in Pictures


Comments

  • [1] Mike from Northern Manhattan August 01, 2008 - 02:11PM

    Eli Smith hosts a great web site radio show and covered Leadbelly a while back. Here's the link:

    http://www.downhomeradioshow.com/2008/04/leadbelly-on-capitol-records/


  • [2] Clarence from New York August 01, 2008 - 02:43PM

    I was just listening to "Habana" two nights ago and wondered if Roy had a new CD coming out, and now I'm on my way out the door and to the store. Roy, where does this CD stand in your rep, i.e. is it a favorite of yours? If so why?


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