Elmore James
Elmore James was born on January 27th, 1918, in Holmes County, Mississippi.
By 12, he started using a one-string instrument like a diddley-bow and developed into a solid musician by 18. It was then when he met one of his strongest influences, Robert Johnson.
It was Johnson who showed Elmore how to play using a slide on his finger and inspired a career.
In 1943 Elmore was drafted into the US Navy during WWII and participated in the invasion of Guam. Upon returning home, he came to stay with his adopted brother, who owned an electric shop. Elmore used the tools and supplies around him to create a signature electric guitar sound.
Elmore began recording with Trumpet Records in 1951 and experienced some success with "Dust My Broom."
Legend has it that Elmore did not know that he was being recorded when he sang it after a recording session one night. The single was released without his permission and quickly rose to a top 10 hit.
Eventually, he broke with Trumpet Records and signed with the Bihari brothers. As his style developed, Elmore would record with multiple record labels, but his fame never really reached farther than the Delta. The Bihari brothers began shelving his recordings until 1960, when their contract finally ran out.
After that, he released several hits in succession with different record companies. Unfortunately, in 1963 at the height of his career, Elmore James passed away of a heart attack, leaving the legacy of the slide guitar changed forever.
By 12, he started using a one-string instrument like a diddley-bow and developed into a solid musician by 18. It was then when he met one of his strongest influences, Robert Johnson.
It was Johnson who showed Elmore how to play using a slide on his finger and inspired a career.
In 1943 Elmore was drafted into the US Navy during WWII and participated in the invasion of Guam. Upon returning home, he came to stay with his adopted brother, who owned an electric shop. Elmore used the tools and supplies around him to create a signature electric guitar sound.
Elmore began recording with Trumpet Records in 1951 and experienced some success with "Dust My Broom."
Legend has it that Elmore did not know that he was being recorded when he sang it after a recording session one night. The single was released without his permission and quickly rose to a top 10 hit.
Eventually, he broke with Trumpet Records and signed with the Bihari brothers. As his style developed, Elmore would record with multiple record labels, but his fame never really reached farther than the Delta. The Bihari brothers began shelving his recordings until 1960, when their contract finally ran out.
After that, he released several hits in succession with different record companies. Unfortunately, in 1963 at the height of his career, Elmore James passed away of a heart attack, leaving the legacy of the slide guitar changed forever.