Guitar Slim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guitar Slim
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Eddie Jones |
| Born | December 10, 1926 Greenwood, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | February 7, 1959 (aged 32) New York City |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
Eddie Jones (born December 10, 1926 – died February 7, 1959), known to the world as Guitar Slim, was an amazing American guitarist from the 1940s and 1950s. He became super famous for his song "The Things That I Used to Do", which sold over a million copies! This song is even in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll." Guitar Slim really changed rock and roll music. He was one of the first to use a cool, fuzzy sound called distortion on his electric guitar, long before other famous guitarists like Jimi Hendrix did!
Contents
The Story of Guitar Slim
Early Life and First Steps in Music
Eddie Jones was born in Greenwood, Mississippi. When he was five years old, his mother passed away. His grandmother then raised him. As a teenager, he worked in cotton fields. In his free time, he loved to visit juke joints. These were places where people played music and danced.
Eddie started singing and dancing there. He was such a good dancer that people called him "Limber Leg." This nickname meant he could move his legs very easily!
Becoming Guitar Slim
After serving in the military during World War II, Eddie started playing music in clubs. These clubs were mostly around New Orleans, Louisiana. A bandleader named Willie D. Warren showed him how to play the guitar. Eddie was greatly inspired by other guitarists like T-Bone Walker and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.
Around 1950, Eddie started using the stage name Guitar Slim. He became famous for his wild and exciting performances. He often wore bright, colorful suits. He even dyed his hair to match his outfits!
His Unique Stage Show
Guitar Slim's shows were unforgettable. He had an assistant who would follow him around the audience. This assistant carried a very long cord, sometimes up to 350 feet long! This cord connected Guitar Slim's guitar to his amplifier.
Sometimes, Guitar Slim would even ride on his assistant's shoulders while playing. He would even take his guitar outside the club! This would often stop traffic because people were so amazed. His guitar sound was also very special. He used a distortion effect on his guitar. This made his guitar sound fuzzy and powerful. He did this more than ten years before other rock guitarists made it popular. His singing was also unique, influenced by gospel music.
Famous Recordings
Guitar Slim had his first recording session in 1951. In 1952, he had a small hit song called "Feelin' Sad." The famous musician Ray Charles even made his own version of this song.
His biggest hit was "The Things That I Used to Do" in 1954. A young Ray Charles helped produce this song. It was released by Art Rupe's Specialty Records. This song was number one on the Billboard R&B chart for many weeks. It sold over a million copies! The song quickly became a classic blues standard. It also helped shape the sound of soul music. Guitar Slim recorded music for several different record companies. These included Imperial Records, Bullet Records, Specialty Records, and Atco Records.
His Lasting Influence
Sadly, Eddie Jones passed away from pneumonia in New York City. He was only 32 years old. He is buried in a small cemetery in Thibodaux, Louisiana. This is where his manager, Hosea Hill, lived.
Many famous musicians were influenced by Guitar Slim. These include Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, and Frank Zappa. Other musicians have also used the name Guitar Slim. One of Eddie Jones's sons performs as Guitar Slim, Jr. in New Orleans. He often plays many of his father's songs.
See also
In Spanish: Guitar Slim para niños
