Pee Wee Crayton facts for kids

Connie Curtis Crayton (born December 18, 1914 – died June 25, 1985), known as Pee Wee Crayton, was an American R&B and blues guitarist and singer. He was famous for his unique guitar playing style.

Pee Wee Crayton's Musical Journey

Pee Wee Crayton was born in Rockdale, Texas. He started playing the guitar seriously after moving to California in 1935. He later settled in Oakland, California. There, he learned a lot from another famous blues guitarist, T-Bone Walker. However, Pee Wee developed his own special way of playing.

His guitar playing was strong and exciting. It was different from his smooth singing voice. Many blues guitarists who came after him copied his style.

Early Success and Hit Songs

In 1948, Pee Wee Crayton signed a recording contract with Modern Records. One of his first songs was an instrumental called "Blues After Hours". This song became a huge hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart that year.

The other side of the record had a pop song called "I'm Still in Love with You". Another fast-paced song, "Texas Hop", also showed off his talent. These songs are great examples of his early work.

Big Concerts and New Sounds

In 1950, Pee Wee Crayton and his Orchestra performed at a large concert called the Cavalcade of Jazz. It was held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Many other famous artists also performed that day. About 16,000 people came to watch the show.

Pee Wee recorded for many different record labels in the 1950s. He recorded in cities like New Orleans, Chicago, and Philadelphia. He is believed to be the first blues guitarist to use a Fender Stratocaster guitar. The famous guitar maker Leo Fender himself gave him one.

Influence on Other Musicians

Pee Wee Crayton's music even influenced rock and roll legends. The opening guitar part of his 1954 song "Do Unto Others" was used by John Lennon. Lennon used it at the beginning of "Revolution", a song released by The Beatles in 1968.

Pee Wee continued to make music and perform for many years. His album Things I Used to Do came out in 1971. He kept touring and recording until his death.

Pee Wee Crayton lived in Los Angeles, California, for a long time. He passed away there in 1985 from a heart attack. He was buried in the Inglewood Park Cemetery.

Pee Wee Crayton's Legacy

Pee Wee Crayton's musical contributions are still remembered today. On May 8, 2019, he was honored by being added to the Blues Hall of Fame. This special ceremony took place in Memphis, Tennessee. His long-time friend, Doug MacLeod, helped induct him.

Selected Recordings

Pee Wee Crayton recorded many songs and albums throughout his career. Here are a few notable ones:

• "Blues After Hours" (1948)
• "Texas Hop" (1948)
• "Do Unto Others" (1954)
• Things I Used to Do (1971)
• Early Hour Blues (recorded 1984)

See also

In Spanish: Pee Wee Crayton para niños

• Chicago Blues Festival
• List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart
• List of electric blues musicians
• List of Texas blues musicians
• List of West Coast blues musicians
• Long Beach Blues Festival
• San Francisco Blues Festival
• West Coast blues