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Lead Belly

Active

1910s - 1940s

Born

January 20, 1888 in Mooringsport, LA

Died

December 6, 1949 in New York City, NY

Genre

Folk Blues

Styles

Acoustic Blues Country Blues Field Recordings Folk Revival Folk-Blues Folksongs Songster

Also Known As

Huddie William Ledbetter
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Lead Belly

Biography by William Ruhlmann

+ Follow Artist

Folk-blues artist who was massively influential as a vocalist, 12-string guitarist, and especially as a songwriter.
Read Full Biography

  • Overview ↓
  • Biography ↓
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Artists Moods

  • Earthy
  • Gritty
  • Organic
  • Passionate
  • Plaintive
  • Rousing
  • Rustic
  • Amiable/Good-Natured
  • Autumnal
  • Earnest
  • Literate
  • Melancholy
  • Playful
  • Reflective
  • Rollicking
  • Atmospheric
  • Austere
  • Bittersweet
  • Intimate
  • Poignant
  • Sparse
  • Sentimental
  • Spiritual
  • Exuberant

Artists Themes

  • Maverick
  • Politics/Society
  • Empowerment
  • Freedom
  • Rainy Day
  • Reflection
  • Relaxation
  • Reminiscing
  • Solitude
  • Sunday Afternoon
  • Small Gathering
  • Autumn
  • Early Morning
  • Feeling Blue
  • Hanging Out
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