Robert Wilkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Wilkins
|
|
|---|---|
Wilkins performing during the folk revival
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Timothy Wilkins |
| Also known as | "Reverend" Robert Wilkins, Tim Wilkins, Tim Oliver |
| Born | January 16, 1896 Hernando, Mississippi, United States |
| Died | May 26, 1987 (aged 91) Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Genres | Country blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1927–1968 |
| Labels | Vanguard |
Robert Timothy Wilkins (born January 16, 1896 – died May 26, 1987) was an American country blues musician. He was a talented guitarist and singer. Robert Wilkins was special because he could play many different kinds of music. He was good at ragtime, blues, minstrel songs, and gospel music.
Contents
Robert Wilkins's Musical Journey
Robert Wilkins was born in Hernando, Mississippi, which is about 21 miles from Memphis, Tennessee. He played music in Memphis and northern Mississippi in the 1920s and early 1930s. During this time, he played alongside other famous musicians like Furry Lewis and Memphis Minnie. He even said he taught Memphis Minnie a few things!
Robert also started a jug band. Jug bands were very popular back then. Even though his band wasn't as famous as the Memphis Jug Band, he became well-known locally. He even appeared on a Memphis radio station in 1927. From 1928 to 1936, he recorded songs for record companies like Victor and Brunswick Records. He usually recorded by himself or with just one other musician, like Sleepy John Estes. Sometimes, he used different names for his performances, such as Tom Wilkins or Tim Oliver.
A Change in Music
In 1936, when Robert Wilkins was 40 years old, he made a big decision. After a significant event he witnessed, he decided to stop playing blues music. Instead, he joined the church. In 1950, he became an ordained minister.
Rediscovery and Legacy
Many years later, in 1964, people who loved blues music "rediscovered" Robert Wilkins. They were interested in bringing back old blues styles. He started performing again at folk festivals and recorded his gospel blues songs for a new audience.
One of his famous performances was at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. His song "Prodigal Son" from that festival was put on an album called Blues at Newport, Volume 2. In 1964, he also recorded his first full album, Rev. Robert Wilkins: Memphis Gospel Singer. Another album, "...Remember Me", was released in 1993. It was recorded live at the Memphis Country Blues Festival in 1969.
Robert Wilkins passed away on May 26, 1987, in Memphis. He was 91 years old. His son, Reverend John Wilkins, continued his father's gospel blues music.
Famous Songs
Some of Robert Wilkins's most well-known songs include "That's No Way to Get Along" and his gospel version of it, "The Prodigal Son." The famous band Rolling Stones even covered "The Prodigal Son."
When the Rolling Stones first released their version, they didn't give Robert Wilkins credit for writing it. However, they later gave credit to Robert Wilkins for the song, as it was based on his original work.
See also
- Memphis blues
- Adelphi Records
