Kansas Joe McCoy facts for kids

Wilbur "Kansas Joe" McCoy (born May 11, 1905 – died January 28, 1950) was an American blues singer, musician, and songwriter. He was known for his guitar playing and his deep, soulful voice. Joe McCoy became famous for his contributions to Delta blues, a style of blues music that started in the Mississippi Delta region. He also wrote many popular songs that are still enjoyed today.

Early Life and Music Career

Wilbur Joe McCoy was born in Raymond, Mississippi. He was the older brother of another talented blues musician, Papa Charlie McCoy. As a young man, Joe was drawn to the lively music scene in Memphis, Tennessee. There, he began playing guitar and singing in the 1920s, developing his unique blues style.

Working with Memphis Minnie

Joe McCoy teamed up with Lizzie Douglas, who would become his wife. She was a skilled guitarist known as Memphis Minnie. Together, they made music and performed. In 1930, they recorded a song called "Bumble Bee" for Columbia Records. This song became a big hit, making them well-known in the blues world.

Later in 1930, Joe and Minnie moved to Chicago. The city was becoming a major center for blues music, and they played an important part in its growth. After some time, Joe and Minnie divorced.

The Harlem Hamfats and Famous Songs

After his divorce, Joe McCoy joined forces with his brother, Charlie. They formed a band called the Harlem Hamfats. This group performed and recorded many songs throughout the late 1930s.

In 1936, the Harlem Hamfats released a song called "The Weed Smoker's Dream." Joe McCoy later changed the music and words of this song. He renamed it "Why Don't You Do Right?" and it was recorded by Lil Green in 1941. This new version became very popular. A year later, famous artists like Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee also recorded it. "Why Don't You Do Right?" was Peggy Lee's first hit song. Today, it is still a well-known jazz standard, which means it's a song that many jazz musicians play and record. It is Joe McCoy's most famous song.

Later Years and Big Joe and His Rhythm

When World War II began, Joe's brother Charlie joined the military. Joe McCoy had a heart condition, so he could not serve. Instead, he formed his own band called Big Joe and his Rhythm. This band performed for most of the 1940s. The group included talented musicians like Robert Nighthawk on harmonica and Charlie McCoy on mandolin.

Death and Lasting Impact

Joe McCoy passed away in Chicago in 1950 from heart disease. He was 44 years old. His brother Charlie died just a few months later. Both brothers are buried at Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.

McCoy's Music Lives On

Joe McCoy's music continues to influence artists today. For example, Led Zeppelin's singer, Robert Plant, had a recording of "When the Levee Breaks" by Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. He shared it with guitarist Jimmy Page. They changed the music, and Led Zeppelin recorded it for their 1971 album, Led Zeppelin IV. Memphis Minnie was given credit for the original lyrics on the record.

Many other famous musicians have also covered Joe McCoy's songs. These include Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, the Ink Spots, Ella Fitzgerald, Jo Ann Kelly, Cleo Laine, and A Perfect Circle. This shows how important and timeless his music is.

Other Names Joe McCoy Used

Joe McCoy used several different names when he performed and recorded music. Some of these names were Bill Wither, Georgia Pine Boy, Hallelujah Joe, Big Joe McCoy and His Washboard Band, and the Mississippi Mudder. He also used the names Hamfoot Ham, Hillbilly Plowboy, and Mud Dauber Joe.

Remembering Joe McCoy

For many years, Joe McCoy's grave did not have a headstone, just like many other blues musicians from his time. In October 2010, a special concert was held to celebrate the music of Joe and Charlie McCoy. The money raised helped buy gravestones for both of them. The headstones were placed on May 31, 2011, so that their resting place could be properly marked and remembered.

See also

• Chicago blues
• List of blues musicians
• List of Chicago blues musicians
• List of people from Mississippi