Napoleon Strickland facts for kids
Napoleon Strickland (born October 1, 1919 – died July 21, 2001) was a talented American musician. He was famous for playing a special kind of music called fife and drum blues, which is a lively style from the Mississippi hills. He was a singer and songwriter, and he could play many instruments like the guitar, drums, harmonica, and especially the fife.
Early Life and Music
Napoleon Strickland grew up near a town called Como in the United States, in the beautiful hill country of Mississippi. He learned music from his father when he was just a boy. Later, another famous musician named Othar Turner taught him even more. Napoleon became very good at playing many instruments, including the guitar, drums, harmonica, and a unique instrument called a diddley bow. But he was best known for his amazing fife playing and singing.
A Master of the Fife
Napoleon Strickland played his music at many festivals, sharing the sounds of the Mississippi hills with people. He also appeared on several music albums that featured North Mississippi hill country blues. Many people thought he was one of the very best fife players in his style of music. He even appeared in a movie about the blues called The Land Where The Blues Began.
For most of his life, Napoleon worked as a sharecropper, which means he farmed land owned by someone else and shared the crops he grew. Even while working, he helped teach other musicians in his area.
Later Years
After a car accident in the 1980s, Napoleon moved to a nursing home. But he didn't stop playing music! He continued to play his fife and sing until he passed away in July 2001, at the age of 81.
See also
