Furry Lewis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Furry Lewis
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Lewis c. 1927
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Walter E. Lewis |
| Born | March 6, 1893 or 1899 Greenwood, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | September 14, 1981 (aged 82-88) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Delta blues, country blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | Late 1920s–1970s |
| Labels | Vocalion, Victor, Barclay, Lucky Seven, Universal |
Walter E. "Furry" Lewis (born March 6, 1893 or 1899 – died September 14, 1981) was an American country blues musician. He was a talented guitarist and songwriter from Memphis, Tennessee. Furry Lewis was one of the first blues artists from the 1920s to become popular again. This happened during the folk blues revival of the 1960s, when many people became interested in old blues music.
Contents
Early Life and Music Career
Furry Lewis was born in Greenwood, Mississippi. His exact birth year is a bit of a mystery. Some records say 1893, which is what he often told people later in life. Other information suggests he might have been born in 1899.
When he was seven years old, his family moved to Memphis. By 1908, Furry was already playing music by himself. He performed at parties, in local taverns, and on the street. He even got to play a few times with W. C. Handy's Orchestra, which was a big deal.
As he traveled and played music, he met many famous performers. These included Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Alger "Texas" Alexander. Like his friend Frank Stokes, Furry eventually decided he didn't want to travel as much.
In 1922, he took a steady job as a street sweeper for the city of Memphis. He kept this job until he retired in 1966. This allowed him to keep playing music in Memphis without having to travel all the time.
Recording His Music
Furry Lewis made his first recordings in 1927. He recorded for Vocalion Records in Chicago. A year later, he recorded for Victor Records in Memphis. This session included other famous musicians like the Memphis Jug Band and Frank Stokes.
He recorded again for Vocalion in Memphis in 1929. Most of his songs were blues tunes. He also recorded two-part versions of popular stories like "Casey Jones" and "John Henry." Furry Lewis had different ways of playing the guitar. Sometimes he would fingerpick, using his fingers to pluck the strings. Other times, he would play with a slide, which makes a smooth, gliding sound.
He made many successful records in the late 1920s. Some of his well-known songs include "Kassie Jones," "Billy Lyons & Stack-O-Lee," and "Judge Harsh Blues."
Later Recordings and Fame
In 1959, a music researcher named Sam Charters recorded Furry Lewis. He recorded Furry in his rented room in Memphis. These recordings were released on an album that same year.
Sam Charters recorded Furry Lewis again in 1961. This time, the recordings were made at the famous Sun Studio in Memphis. Two albums came from these sessions: "Back on my Feet Again" and "Done Changed my Mind." One of these songs was even used in a movie called "The Blues."
In 1968, radio host Bob West recorded Furry Lewis with another blues musician, Bukka White. They recorded in Furry's apartment in Memphis. This recording was later released as an album called "Furry Lewis, Bukka White & Friends, Party! at Home."
In 1969, record producer Terry Manning also recorded Lewis. These recordings were made in Furry's apartment near Beale Street in Memphis. They were released in Europe and later in the United States.
In 1972, Furry Lewis was a main performer in the Memphis Blues Caravan. This was a group of blues musicians who toured together. Other musicians in the caravan included Bukka White, Sleepy John Estes, and Hammie Nixon.
Furry Lewis and Joni Mitchell
The famous singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell wrote a song about Furry Lewis. The song is called "Furry Sings the Blues." It's on her album Hejira. The song is about her visit to Lewis's apartment in Memphis in 1976. At the time, much of Beale Street was in disrepair.
Furry Lewis didn't really like the song. He felt that Joni Mitchell should have paid him for writing a song about him.
Final Years
In his last years, Furry Lewis began to lose his eyesight. This was due to cataracts. In 1981, he got pneumonia. This led to his death from heart failure on September 14, 1981, in Memphis. He was 88 years old.
Furry Lewis is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in South Memphis. His grave has two headstones. The second, larger headstone was bought by his fans.
Discography
- Furry Lewis, 1959
- Back on My Feet Again, 1961
- Done Changed My Mind, 1962
- Fourth & Beale, 1969
- Live at the Gaslight at the Au Go Go, 1971
- The Alabama State Troupers Road Show, 1973
See also
In Spanish: Furry Lewis para niños
