Big Bill Broonzy

Get the "Big Bill Broonzy" widget

About Big Bill Broonzy

Blues guitarist Big Bill Broonzy was born in Mississippi but is considered the granddaddy of the Chicago sound. One of the first rural blues musicians to merge southern country flavor with the grit of the urban north, Broonzy was an influence on generations of blues guitarists from Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy to their many subsequent disciples. Broonzy's impact also extended into the folk realm as he collaborated with, among others, Pete Seeger and Josh White and is cited as a major influence by legendary British folk guitarist Bert Jansch. While perhaps not as well-known today as during his 1930s heyday, Broonzy's impact on blues and folk music is inestimable.