Robert Petway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Petway
The only known photograph of Petway (c. 1941)
Background information
Born	c. 1903 possibly Itta Bena, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	unknown; after 1941
Genres	Blues, Delta blues
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Labels	Bluebird Records
Associated acts	Tommy McClennan

Robert Petway was an American blues singer and guitarist. He was born around 1903, but we don't know when he passed away. Even though he only recorded 16 songs, many famous musicians like John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Jimi Hendrix were inspired by his music. There's only one photo of him, taken in 1941. His real last name might have been a bit different, like Pettyway or Petaway.

The Mystery of Robert Petway's Life

Not much is known for sure about Robert Petway's life. People have different ideas about where he was born. Some think he was born near Yazoo City, Mississippi. This is also where his good friend and fellow blues musician, Tommy McClennan, was born.

Other researchers believe he was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, around 1902. Records from that time mention people with similar names, like Robert Pettyway or Robert Petaway.

There's also a different idea that he might have been born in Gee's Bend, Alabama, in 1907. However, experts think this person might not be the same musician who played blues in Mississippi.

Because there are so many different ideas, we don't know exactly when or how Robert Petway passed away. The last known record of him is from 1941.

Robert Petway's Music Career

Like many blues musicians from the Mississippi Delta region, Robert Petway traveled a lot. He played his music at parties, small clubs called roadhouses, and other places.

Petway and his friend Tommy McClennan often traveled and performed together. After McClennan moved to Chicago, Petway also went north to join him. There, he recorded his music. Another musician, Frank Edwards, who had met them in Mississippi, also joined them in Chicago.

The Famous "Catfish Blues" Song

In 1941, Robert Petway recorded a song called "Catfish Blues." This song became very important in blues music. Many other musicians played their own versions of it.

One of the most famous examples is Muddy Waters. He used parts of Petway's "Catfish Blues" for his own song, "Rollin' Stone." The famous band The Rolling Stones even got their name from Muddy Waters' song!

It's not clear if Robert Petway wrote "Catfish Blues" first. Some people think Tommy McClennan might have written it, as he recorded a similar song called "Deep Blues Sea."

A musician named David "Honeyboy" Edwards, who knew Petway, said that Petway "just made that song up and used to play it at them old country dances." This means Petway might have created the song himself and kept it in his head.

There was also another blues guitarist named Tom Toy, who was known for his version of "Catfish Blues." However, Tom Toy never recorded his music.

Here are some of the lyrics from Petway's "Catfish Blues": What if I were a catfish, mama
I said swimmin’ deep down in, deep blue sea
Have these gals now, sweet mama, settin’ out,
Settin’ out hooks for me, settin’ out hook for me

And here are similar lyrics from Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone": Well, I wish I was a catfish,
swimmin in a oh, deep, blue sea
I would have all you good lookin women,
fishin, fishin after me

Robert Petway's Recordings

Robert Petway only recorded music during two sessions. Both of these sessions were for Bluebird Records in Chicago.

Original 78s (in order of recording)