Teddy Darby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Teddy Darby
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| Birth name | Theodore Roosevelt Darby |
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| Born | March 12, 1906 Henderson, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | December 1975 (aged 69) East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1926 - 1937 |
Theodore Roosevelt Darby, known as Blind Teddy Darby, was an American blues singer and guitarist. He was born on March 2, 1906, and passed away in December 1975.
Contents
Early Life and Music Journey
Teddy Darby was born in Henderson, Kentucky. When he was a child, his family moved to St. Louis. His mother taught him how to play the guitar. This was the start of his musical journey.
Losing His Eyesight
In 1926, Teddy Darby lost his eyesight. This happened because of a condition called glaucoma. Even after losing his sight, he continued to play music.
Recording His Music
Teddy Darby recorded many songs between 1929 and 1937. He used different names for his recordings. These names included Blind Teddy Darby, Blind Darby, Blind Blues Darby, and Blind Squire Turner. He recorded for famous record labels like Paramount, Victor, Bluebird, Vocalion, and Decca.
A Later Discovery
Years later, in 1960, a music researcher named Pete Welding found Teddy Darby again. Pete Welding wanted to record him for Testament Records. However, the songs from this recording session were never released to the public.
Friendship and Life Changes
Teddy Darby was good friends with another blues musician named Peetie Wheatstraw. They shared a love for music.
A Close Call
On December 21, 1941, Peetie Wheatstraw was celebrating his 39th birthday. He invited Teddy Darby to go for a drive with him and two other friends. But Teddy Darby's wife did not want him to go. So, he decided to stay home. Sadly, Peetie Wheatstraw and his two friends were killed that night. Their car hit a train. Teddy Darby was very lucky to have missed that ride.
Becoming a Preacher
In the late 1930s, Teddy Darby decided to make a big change in his life. He stopped playing blues music. Instead, he became an ordained deacon. This means he became a leader in a church.
His Musical Legacy
Even though Teddy Darby stopped playing blues, his music continued to inspire others. His song, "Built Right on the Ground," is a great example.
Songs Covered by Other Artists
Many musicians have covered Teddy Darby's song "Built Right on the Ground." A "covered" song means another artist performs their own version of it. John Miller changed the title of the song to "I Never Cried." Other artists like Roy Book Binder, Howard Bursen, and Phil Heywood have also performed their own versions of this song since the 1970s.
