Charley Patton

It is not far out to say that Charley Patton (1887 – 1934) is responsible for creating the Delta Blues style, influencing following generations of Blues artists, from Howlin' Wolf to Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson himself. With his deep rugged voice and extraordinary guitar playing, he did well to deserve the title of “Father of the Delta Blues.”

Born in Hinds County, Mississippi in 1887, Charlie Patton was the son of Annie and Bill Patton, mixed raced with White, Black, and Native American Heritage. In 1897, he and his family moved to the famous Dockery Plantation, where he met future fellow Musicians such as Tommy Johnson, Willie Brown, Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson.

Charley became well known for his gravel-like voice and guitar playing, which would eventually gain him a record deal with the legendary label Paramount Records in 1929. Highlights from this period of time include the hit song “Pony Blues,” the influential “A Spoonful Blues” (a self-declared favorite of the musician Jack White) and “High Water Everywhere,” a chronicle on the devastating Great Mississippi River flood of 1927 and the racial discrimination many of the victims felt.

After the ultimate collapse of Paramount, Charley went to Vocalion Records. In 1933, he also married Bertha Lee, but their union was tragically cut short, as Charlie would die of Mitral Valve Disorder just one year later. He was buried in Holly Ridge, and a new headstone was paid for his family by influential Blues guitarist John Fahey in 1990.

Charlie Patton’s music influenced many bluesmen, who would go on to expand the genre and pave the way for the development of many other genres, such as Rock music.