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Bukka White was a blues musician from Mississippi, born in 1909. He began playing the guitar at a young age and developed a powerful singing and guitar style heavily influenced by the traditional blues of the Mississippi Delta. He recorded several songs for the Victor Recording Company in 1930 and is considered one of the best examples of Mississippi Delta blues. His career was interrupted by a prison sentence and a military draft, but he never gave up on his passion for music. He recorded several more albums, toured extensively and was influential in the development of the blues sound, in part due to his relation (and support) of BB King. He passed away in 1977, leaving behind a legacy of powerful music that continues to inspire.
What stands out about Bukka White's guitar playing is how percussive and powerful it comes across through recordings. A famous video persists of White actually "drumming" on the body of his guitar for added effect, and perhaps some theatrics as well. His fingerstyle guitar playing was often done on a resonator, and his left-hand sometimes purely fretted through songs, or slid around with a piercing-sounding slide.
Bukka White was a blues musician from Mississippi, born in 1909. He began playing music at a young age and quickly became known for his distinctive style of playing the guitar. White's early years were spent working on cotton plantations and playing music locally.
White's early life was marked by poverty and hardship, but he was able to find solace in music. He began playing the guitar at a young age and quickly developed a style that was heavily influenced by the traditional blues of the Mississippi Delta. He spent his early years playing at local dances and parties, honing his craft and developing a reputation as a talented musician.
In 1930, White made his way to Memphis, Tennessee, where he recorded several songs for the Victor Recording Company. These recordings are considered some of the best examples of Mississippi Delta blues from that period and helped to establish White as a major force in the world of blues music. Unfortunately, White's career was interrupted in the mid-1930s when he was arrested and sentenced to prison for shooting a man. He served several years before being released, after which he returned to music. Despite this setback, White was determined to make a comeback and he recorded for several other record labels, including the legendary Bluebird label.
White's music was heavily influenced by the traditional blues of the Mississippi Delta, but he also incorporated elements of gospel and country music into his sound. In the 1940s, White's career was interrupted again when he was drafted into the military. After his discharge, he returned to music and recorded several more albums. He also began to tour more extensively, playing in clubs and at festivals across the country. Despite his success, White's life was not without its struggles. He struggled with alcoholism and poverty, and his career was often interrupted by personal problems. However, he never let these setbacks get in the way of his music, and he continued to play and record until his death in 1977.
White's legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be celebrated and appreciated by fans of the blues and roots music. His recordings are considered some of the most important examples of Mississippi Delta blues and continue to be highly respected and sought-after by fans and collectors. Bukka White is considered a true blues legend and his music continues to inspire musicians and fans around the world. He epitomized much of the Mississippi Delta blues style, and his music is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Despite the many hardships he faced in his life, White never let go of his passion for music and his legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences today.