Kokomo Arnold facts for kids

James "Kokomo" Arnold (born February 15, 1896 or 1901 – died November 8, 1968) was an American blues musician. He was known for playing the slide guitar with his left hand. His unique way of playing and singing made him stand out.

He got his nickname "Kokomo" in 1934. This happened after he released a song called "Old Original Kokomo Blues" for Decca Records. This song was a new version of a blues song by Scrapper Blackwell about the city of Kokomo, Indiana.

Early Life of Kokomo Arnold

James Arnold was born in Lovejoy's Station, Georgia. Most people believe he was born in 1901. However, some researchers think he was born earlier, in 1896. He learned how to play the guitar from his cousin, John Wiggs.

Music Career

Arnold started playing music in the early 1920s. At that time, it was just a side hobby. He worked as a farmhand in Buffalo, New York, and as a steelworker in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In 1929, he moved to Chicago. He had other jobs before focusing on music. In 1930, he briefly moved south. There, he made his first recordings. These songs were "Rainy Night Blues" and "Paddlin' Madeline Blues." He recorded them under the name Gitfiddle Jim for the Victor label in Memphis.

He soon moved back to Chicago. After a change in laws in 1933, he began to make his living as a musician. Kansas Joe McCoy, another musician, heard him play. McCoy then introduced him to J. Mayo Williams, who was a producer for Decca Records.

Kokomo Arnold made many recordings for Decca. His first recording was on September 10, 1934. His last was on May 12, 1938. During this time, he recorded 88 songs.

Arnold, along with Peetie Wheatstraw and Bumble Bee Slim, were famous blues musicians in Chicago. Arnold and Wheatstraw especially influenced Robert Johnson. Johnson was a well-known Delta blues artist. For example, Johnson changed Arnold's "Old Original Kokomo Blues" into his own song "Sweet Home Chicago." He also changed "Milk Cow Blues" into "Milkcow's Calf Blues." Another song by Arnold, "Sagefield Woman Blues," included the phrase "dust my broom." Robert Johnson later used this phrase as a song title.

In 1938, Arnold stopped working in the music industry. He started working in a factory in Chicago. In 1962, blues researchers found him. But he was not interested in returning to music. He did not want to take advantage of the new interest in blues music among young people. However, his song "Milk Cow Blues" was later recorded by Elvis Presley.

Later Life and Death

Kokomo Arnold died from a heart attack in Chicago. This happened on November 8, 1968. He was either 67 or 72 years old. He was buried in Burr Oak Cemetery, in Alsip, Illinois.

Images for kids

• 

  Arnold's grave at Burr Oak Cemetery

See also

• List of Chicago blues musicians
• List of slide guitarists