If you are ever in doubt of how powerful music can be, remember that a black man in the early 1900s in southern US was able to get out of his prison sentence early TWICE, once for MURDER, because he was a talented musician.
Here's another example: I once had not 1, not 2, but 3 abscessed teeth side by side! My right side of my face looked like I had a baseball tucked in my jaw. And OMG, the pain! So after the dentist wrote scripts & I hopped on the bus to head to the pharmacy & then home, I popped in a CD (it was the 90's) turned on my fave music & it actually got my pain under control! So u see, there's nothing music can't do!
Coincidentally as the story goes is that that very same governor made promises upon his campaign trial, that he would never pardon a criminal convicted of a violent crime. But after they realized who Leadbelly was he was pardoned and ended up doing a series of recordings for the Library of Congress.
He also has the most well known versions of Where Did You Sleep Last Night, until Kurt Cobain started covering it, and especially the Unplugged version. Same with Midnight Special, until bands in the 60’s began covering it, most notably Creedance Clearwater Revival.
It seems like this era was wild, people had crazy lives and traveled around, becoming musicians, getting married multiple times, being criminals. I’m over here like yeah my vacation was crazy I went to London once and got lost for like 10 minutes lol
On Nirvana Unplugged in New York, there is that segment in between the songs where Kurt Cobain, says "Somebody tried to sell me Leadbelly's guitar for $500,000. I asked David Geffen to purchase it for me personally..." That's where the story ends.
I am very happy this video appeared in my recommended. Leadbelly is hands down one of my favorite artists. Fantastic job on telling the history of him.
@@bhocolatebhipbookie3967 And 'The Man who sold the world' is a cover also (David Bowie) they certainly chose a great set-list that night. With both songs IMHO being 'better' (or as close as can get) to the originals which in itself is one hell of an achievement.
@@brazenlilhussy5975 You also didn’t mention the Meat Puppet covers. Those covers are on par with the originals and introduced me to them. The Meat Puppets are now my second favorite band.
I first heard about Leadbelly in high school when my history teacher was covering the subject of the Great Depression. He talked about "traveling hobos" and how it inspired some music at the time. One of the songs he played as an example was Midnight Special, and I loved it instantly. Then a few years later when I was in college, my music-based English class mentioned Leadbelly once again. I never liked history, but the topic of music through the years and the impact it had in the future is fascinating.
My father loved Led Belly as he was from Louisiana as well. He was from a small town that wasn't too far from Shreveport, Louisiana. Thanks, for the video!
Right now I'm listening to a freight train run down the same tracks that inspired Leadbellly to popularize Midnight Special. The prison he was in sets vacant about 3 miles east, although when he was there all the structures were wood. Same location.
It’s voice is like Leadbelly and Sun House that really led me down the path to where I’m at musically. Performing shows all around Oklahoma. Woody Guthrie and LBs work together is how i got introduced to him. that was in 03 by Arlo Guthrie himself at the Woody Guthrie Folk Fest edit: sorry for misspellings.
@@godetonter4764 go to my page, the 2nd newest song i just covered was Son. And if you go back far enough you’ll see grinnin in your face cover I did with the imponderably amazing Becky Lynn Blanca and that was almost 2 years ago
@@isaacj.elliott2137 never met to nitpick, I actually was doing a play on words, I honestly believed that you were making a reference to the famous Sun Studios, which Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley once recorded at . I thought maybe Leadbelly had also recorded there
I remember an episode of Sanford and Son where Blind Mellow Jelly was spoken of and Lead Belly briefly mentioned but I thought they were fictional characters, who knew they really existed. I actually thought the records were fake too as Fred broke all the records but one and he kept playing the one record until he sat on it and broke it too claiming it was the last Blind Mellow Jelly record on earth
Great job on this documentary on Leadbelly. I know much about African-american history but You have told more on Leadbelly that I even knew. Thanks for the upload.
House of the rising sun with his wife singing, feeding her what verse to sing and when to stop to play the solo, the pool players in the background, truly a timeless classic. Many have covered, but most famously by The Animals.
The "Unofficial" theme song of Louisiana is "Irene, Goodnight", whose final line declares, "if Irene ever turns her back on me, I'm gonna drink Morphine and die". Irene is 14, and the song is entirely a conversation between a married Leadbelly, and the child's mother.
That’s one of my favorite songs by him. I can recite the song by memory Irene, Goodnight, Irene, Goodnight Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene I guess you’s in my dreams - I asked your mother for you (What she tell him) She told me that you was too young (She’s 18 years old) I wish, dear lord, that I never seen your face I’m sorry you ever were born (She broke his heart) - Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene I guess you’s in my dreams - Sometimes I lived in the country Sometimes I lived in town Sometimes I have just a great notion To jump in a river and drown - Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene I guess you in my dreams - Stop Ramblin’, and stop gamblin’ Quit stayin’ out late at night (What you gonna do?) Go home to your wife and your family where you outta be Sit down by the fireside bright (And keep a comin’ now) - Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene I guess you in my dreams - I love Irene, god knows I do (too late) Love her till the seas are dry If Irene turns her back on me (What you gonna do?) I’m gonna take morphine and die (She said go ahead and kill yourself then) - Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene I guess you’s in my dreams
Im really torn as to how i should feel now.. On the one hand, u have an amazing artist whose impact on music is pretty important.. On the other hand, he literally abandoned his first wife and his kids to pursue music.. Gotdang it!!
Speaking of somewhat obscure music references... Are you aware that your online name is the name of a record from the hardcore band Adrenaline Overdose that was released about 30 years ago? Not their best effort, but it was alright.
I absolutely love Nirvana's cover of leadbelly's song "Where did you sleep last night."Kurt Cobain was a huge Leadbelly fan. It's actually really funny , I'm sure most people who have seen it remember ,but during their unplugged ,he was talkin about how he spoke to the executor of leadbelly's estate ,and he wanted to buy leadbelly's guitar ,and they said he had to pay $500,000 for it! LOL David Geffen wouldn't even buy it for him lol but it would be something really cool to own. LOL I swear I wrote this before I saw the end...lmao!
Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
Awesome story! Always been a fan of Leadbelly. Although, I think a story about Jon and Alan Lomax would be a great story too. They were very interesting men also Thank you for all the hard work you put into your stories.
I love history and this is fascinating. If it weren't for the early black blues musicians modern pop, rock, metal and blues would not exist. They were the unsung pioneers. Incredible.
Great video! However a sore spot for Leadbelly was that he didn't receive royalties or often performed free when working the Lomax's, leading to threats of violence and lawsuits. He was also a great Blues player, leaving trunk is very influential.
I mean the title isn't wrong, just kinda sensationalized. But I get what you mean, Leadbelly is remembered foremost as a legendary musician. So putting him solely as a murderer in the title is a bit wrong, but that doesn't take away the fact that he did commit terrible acts such as murder, whether it be due to short temper or something else.
No, but if this shit happened today, we can all picture how social media would react, how everyone would react. Being allowed to sing one's way out of two murder/attempted murder convictions is obscene. I don't care how talented the guy was. Just think of all the contemporary entertainers who have been 'canceled' for crimes they have only been accused of committing, accused online, haven't gone to trial, never been convicted - just accused. Boom - guilty in the court of Twitter. Their lives ruined. And this guy was a convicted, violent felon allowed to slide because he could play the guitar. This story is wild.
Champion Jack Dupree established himself in Europe also. Europeans took to black artists much more readily than Americans. But it's to the Lomax's credit to see Huddie's talent and put in nearly a decade of work into him. I have several of his records and the Library of Congress recording which are a wonderful window into life during those times. Thanks for putting this out.
His music was the primary influence on the Skiffle scene in the UK. Lonnie Donegan's version of Rock Island Line can be considered to be the first British Rock n Roll record; & of course Lennon & McCartney first band, The Quarrymen, played Leadbelly influenced Skiffle.
I read the book, "the life and legend of Leadbelly" back in the mid 1990s. There was a time where he was seen as a Communist sympathizer, because he was hanging out at American Communist party get togethers, and performed for them. But he just wanted to be around people that liked and appreciated his music.
Lead Belly's government tax name was Hudie Ledbetter. It can be heard on his original recordings when he is addressed in person by John and Alan Lomax. Hudie is pronounced "HYOO-dee". HOODIE is a SWEATSHIRT, for christs sakes.
@@alexistexas9114 he left a huge impact on rock as well as blues, inspiring artists such as Kurt cobain of Nirvana, who made it huge in the mainstream *thanks to him*, I think his singing did quite a bit of good, considering he is a staple of blues and rock history.
Leadbelly was the Blue Print. He was an incredibly talent Blues guitar player n a F bad ass which made him so much more interesting. Ragtime, Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Rock n Roll, Funk, RnB & Hip Hop are all Black American Invented/Owned Music n don't y'all ever forget it!
Nirvana's unplugged was epic, impeccable and the epitome of the concept of what was the foundation of an unplugged performance. Cobain belts out this song and piereces through your soul. The last line is one of greatest endings to a song. Vivid, it inhibits your darkness and shames you. Freaking awesomeness.
I just wanted to comment, i havent seen any of your uploads in awhile. Was wondering if you were ok so i checked your TH-cam and was surprised to see you've been regularly uploading. Im happy i have videos to catch up on, but frustrated that TH-cam didn't notify me of the uploads at all
One of the few Americans who could truly be called a troubadour. An almost mythic figure, and an architect of American music. *a good starting point for getting into Leadbelly, are the Library of Congress recordings. It’s a pretty good summary of his whole career.
Alot of ppl don't know that the Nirvana song "Where did you sleep Last Night?" Was written by this man. Also, (I haven't watched the whole vid yet, so u may mention that lol) Edit: *sigh. U did lol, I shouldn't have doubted u man 😂
Haha appreciate it, Lead Belly didn't actually write the song, it was written in the 1870s but Nirvana covered did cover Lead Belly's rendition of the song
@@deburke321 I did not know that man, and your videos are getting better and better everytime! I have a few youtubers I recommend to people and you're one of them. Best wishes from Jax, FL. 🤘
What bugs me about people mentioning what RACE someone is ... There is only one RACE ... that is the human race. We are suppose to be equal but unfortunately there are people out there who do not think this way. Black people got a raw deal in the olden days and may of contributed to some people rebelling due to how they were treated. Leadbelly was one of a kind and no one would be the same and his story is very interesting. Shame he had a temper though and ended up in prison. These days I don't think he would of been able to sing himself out of prison. Oh how times have changed but there are lots of talented black people out there and I have the uppermost respect to them all. Leadbelly is a legend ...
Gday luv What's old always returns Musical Genius Kurt Cobain idolized this man Black. Artists laid the groundwork for today's music period He's legendary a ICON Sadly most musicians suffer from substance abuse then and now
I'm 45 my great grandfather was friends with him my great grandfather died in 1990 he was 101 they were drinking buddies
That’s cool! Did your grandfather tell you any stories about him?
@@thescarletandgrey2505 he use to play his music me and my cousins were kids we weren't paying attention lol
Shreveport?
@@marlonmorrison8530 🤣
Thats cool
If you are ever in doubt of how powerful music can be, remember that a black man in the early 1900s in southern US was able to get out of his prison sentence early TWICE, once for MURDER, because he was a talented musician.
Chile....
@@LexxiMerced56 ong we know this jus didn’t happen
Always love for musos 😎
Here's another example: I once had not 1, not 2, but 3 abscessed teeth side by side! My right side of my face looked like I had a baseball tucked in my jaw. And OMG, the pain!
So after the dentist wrote scripts & I hopped on the bus to head to the pharmacy & then home, I popped in a CD (it was the 90's)
turned on my fave music & it actually got my pain under control!
So u see, there's nothing music can't do!
Madonna once said that music brings the people together.
A white governor in Texas felt empathy for Lead Belly a black man, and pardoned him in the 20's? Wow that was pretty rare back in those days.
I think without the song he would have sent him right back to jail lol
there was money involved.
Trumpet pardoned Kodak
Coincidentally as the story goes is that that very same governor made promises upon his campaign trial, that he would never pardon a criminal convicted of a violent crime. But after they realized who Leadbelly was he was pardoned and ended up doing a series of recordings for the Library of Congress.
He had to have had unreal musical talent I gotta hear a song of his ASAP, that is legendary shit.
My wife introduced me to his music. He was the original singer of Black Betty that Ram Jam covered.
He also has the most well known versions of Where Did You Sleep Last Night, until Kurt Cobain started covering it, and especially the Unplugged version.
Same with Midnight Special, until bands in the 60’s began covering it, most notably Creedance Clearwater Revival.
The song goes back way before him.
@@CorbCorbin this inspired me to listen to him, and it turns out he also has the original house of the rising sun
I can't believe I didn't know that, thank you!
@@jasonandlynnechambers3420 You're right, I just looked it up, so thank you too!
"He was also an alcoholic"
Let's be honest in those days who wasn't?
these days too
@@marcoevans2155 based drunk replier
I see I’ve found my people here
@@kdawg0023 - damn right, who listens to leadbelly drinking milk 👊🏿
@@kdawg0023 ok dad.😆
It seems like this era was wild, people had crazy lives and traveled around, becoming musicians, getting married multiple times, being criminals. I’m over here like yeah my vacation was crazy I went to London once and got lost for like 10 minutes lol
🤣🤣🤣
i mean most people in that time would just be like crazy story: my chicken layed 2 eggs today instead of 1
Bruh London is pretty lit though lol
@@mickeybat5816 no it's not.
Life now is so fucking boring
The movie "Lead Belly" is actually pretty decent for a 70's low budget movie. This video does a better job of telling the story, preciate ya! 🙏
You must be making that up I never heard of such movie. I am familiar with every film ever made, I call you liar
@@godetonter4764 there is a clip of it in this video...liar...
@@ghostface3655 lighten up pal
@@godetonter4764 agreed 👍
What a fantastic bunch of liars who are telling truth here😘⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
On Nirvana Unplugged in New York, there is that segment in between the songs where Kurt Cobain, says "Somebody tried to sell me Leadbelly's guitar for $500,000. I asked David Geffen to purchase it for me personally..." That's where the story ends.
He also says geffen “wouldn’t do it”
@@jamesbennett9262 followed by my girl, my girl
@@nevermore1570 along with “don’t lie to me”
@@ADGWise Also, "tell me where did you sleep last night?"
@@sloshed-rat Also, "In the pines, in the pines"
I am very happy this video appeared in my recommended. Leadbelly is hands down one of my favorite artists. Fantastic job on telling the history of him.
Thanks Christian!
Me too! Deburke is one of the most underrated creators on this platform
Ain't it a shame he's not more well known? 😉
Hands down one of
Ngl. Thumbnail was kinda savage. Couldn’t tell if he was about to be hanged or escape the plantation right quick😅
I know of him from Kurt Cobain. Kurt does an amazing version of “Where Did you Sleep Last Night”. The MTV live version is absolutely amazing.
I never knew that was Lead Belly. That Unplugged was sick!! U learn something new everyday!
@@bhocolatebhipbookie3967 And 'The Man who sold the world' is a cover also (David Bowie) they certainly chose a great set-list that night. With both songs IMHO being 'better' (or as close as can get) to the originals which in itself is one hell of an achievement.
@@brazenlilhussy5975 You also didn’t mention the Meat Puppet covers. Those covers are on par with the originals and introduced me to them. The Meat Puppets are now my second favorite band.
@@thedaddypatty5192 Well said man.
That's exactly how I discovered Lead Belly! 😊 Thanks Kurt for introducing us to a whole new world of music! 💜💜💜
I first heard about Leadbelly in high school when my history teacher was covering the subject of the Great Depression. He talked about "traveling hobos" and how it inspired some music at the time. One of the songs he played as an example was Midnight Special, and I loved it instantly. Then a few years later when I was in college, my music-based English class mentioned Leadbelly once again. I never liked history, but the topic of music through the years and the impact it had in the future is fascinating.
My father loved Led Belly as he was from Louisiana as well. He was from a small town that wasn't too far from Shreveport, Louisiana. Thanks, for the video!
My dad loves Leadbelly, been listening to his music since I was s kid...never knew he had such an interesting life.
Glad I got the notification my friend. What a great video ! I knew some stuff about this artist, but you really did your homework. thanks !
Thanks for watching Michael!
Right now I'm listening to a freight train run down the same tracks that inspired Leadbellly to popularize Midnight Special. The prison he was in sets vacant about 3 miles east, although when he was there all the structures were wood. Same location.
Now that's southern gothic.
It’s voice is like Leadbelly and Sun House that really led me down the path to where I’m at musically. Performing shows all around Oklahoma. Woody Guthrie and LBs work together is how i got introduced to him. that was in 03 by Arlo Guthrie himself at the Woody Guthrie Folk Fest
edit: sorry for misspellings.
Son House was a famous Blues artist not a recording studio
@@godetonter4764 sorry it was talk to text bud. it’s supposed to say AND.
@@godetonter4764 go to my page, the 2nd newest song i just covered was Son. And if you go back far enough you’ll see grinnin in your face cover I did with the imponderably amazing Becky Lynn Blanca and that was almost 2 years ago
@@isaacj.elliott2137 never met to nitpick, I actually was doing a play on words, I honestly believed that you were making a reference to the famous Sun Studios, which Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley once recorded at . I thought maybe Leadbelly had also recorded there
@@isaacj.elliott2137
So if you know how to edit, and you bothered to add a sorry… why didn’t you correct all the mistakes?
Thank you for this historical rundown. Heard his name all my life and I just learned the most here now at 71.
Well,you should try to accesthe smithsonian collection or any of the SING OUT recordings various American artist s.
I wish to God you wouldn't talk so much, but play more music. How about Fannin Street, Midnight special, Rock Island Line, and Black Betty
@@servraghgiorsal7382 Maybe put this out in the main aisle to the video uploader Deburke321 so it's seen, rather than as a reply to me.
I remember an episode of Sanford and Son where Blind Mellow Jelly was spoken of and Lead Belly briefly mentioned but I thought they were fictional characters, who knew they really existed. I actually thought the records were fake too as Fred broke all the records but one and he kept playing the one record until he sat on it and broke it too claiming it was the last Blind Mellow Jelly record on earth
Great job on this documentary on Leadbelly. I know much about African-american history but You have told more on Leadbelly that I even knew. Thanks for the upload.
House of the rising sun with his wife singing, feeding her what verse to sing and when to stop to play the solo, the pool players in the background, truly a timeless classic. Many have covered, but most famously by The Animals.
The "Unofficial" theme song of Louisiana is "Irene, Goodnight", whose final line declares, "if Irene ever turns her back on me, I'm gonna drink Morphine and die".
Irene is 14, and the song is entirely a conversation between a married Leadbelly, and the child's mother.
I'm sorry wut??
Now I am finding those lyrics, yessir
Pedo lyrics? Shadows to come R. Kelly?
Mfs back then thought that shit was normal
That’s one of my favorite songs by him. I can recite the song by memory
Irene, Goodnight, Irene, Goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I guess you’s in my dreams
-
I asked your mother for you
(What she tell him)
She told me that you was too young
(She’s 18 years old)
I wish, dear lord, that I never seen your face
I’m sorry you ever were born
(She broke his heart)
-
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I guess you’s in my dreams
-
Sometimes I lived in the country
Sometimes I lived in town
Sometimes I have just a great notion
To jump in a river and drown
-
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I guess you in my dreams
-
Stop Ramblin’, and stop gamblin’
Quit stayin’ out late at night
(What you gonna do?)
Go home to your wife and your family where you outta be
Sit down by the fireside bright
(And keep a comin’ now)
-
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, Goodnight Irene
I guess you in my dreams
-
I love Irene, god knows I do (too late)
Love her till the seas are dry
If Irene turns her back on me
(What you gonna do?)
I’m gonna take morphine and die
(She said go ahead and kill yourself then)
-
Irene goodnight, Irene goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I guess you’s in my dreams
Im really torn as to how i should feel now.. On the one hand, u have an amazing artist whose impact on music is pretty important.. On the other hand, he literally abandoned his first wife and his kids to pursue music.. Gotdang it!!
This is my intro to this channel... got my notifications on. Looking forward to some new stuff... Definitely found a bunch of stuff on the playlist!
Thank you so much for this short bio on lead belly, I've always been fascinated with his story.
Led belly is one of my top 5 favorite blues legends.
And I could listen to you talk about Leadbelly forever!
Speaking of somewhat obscure music references...
Are you aware that your online name is the name of a record from the hardcore band Adrenaline Overdose that was released about 30 years ago?
Not their best effort, but it was alright.
🎵As always, great work on unique subject matter, research and production!
Thanks a million!
Blind Lemon Jefferson: another utter legend with an incredible back catalogue of music.
I remember on sanford & son, fred had blind mello jelly records, which he broke
Dad said it was Jefferson
Any relation to Thomas the founding father?
@@monetschannel5773They are cousins
"when you see me laughin, I'm laughin just to keep from cryin..."
I absolutely love Nirvana's cover of leadbelly's song "Where did you sleep last night."Kurt Cobain was a huge Leadbelly fan. It's actually really funny , I'm sure most people who have seen it remember ,but during their unplugged ,he was talkin about how he spoke to the executor of leadbelly's estate ,and he wanted to buy leadbelly's guitar ,and they said he had to pay $500,000 for it! LOL David Geffen wouldn't even buy it for him lol but it would be something really cool to own. LOL
I swear I wrote this before I saw the end...lmao!
Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
And his music is still listened to today and made by some of the biggest artists. Example: Nirvana " in the pines ".
It's still called where did you sleep last night, even when Nirvana covered it
Awesome story! Always been a fan of Leadbelly. Although, I think a story about Jon and Alan Lomax would be a great story too. They were very interesting men also Thank you for all the hard work you put into your stories.
"In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun dont ever shine
I will shiver the whole night thtoughhhh"
Well put together video of my personal favourite musician, thanks man!
Thanks for the very interesting story of Leadbelly. I didn't know very much about him. He really influenced so many great musicians.
I love history and this is fascinating. If it weren't for the early black blues musicians modern pop, rock, metal and blues would not exist. They were the unsung pioneers. Incredible.
Exactly and sucks that many people do not realize this.
Neither would 'country'.
@@ivypoisonx5692 agreed, %100
Love this guy. What's on Spotify is on my play list and his black Betty is the best
He was a murderer, criminal and abandoned his family, i dont think siding with him is appropriate at all.
Great video! However a sore spot for Leadbelly was that he didn't receive royalties or often performed free when working the Lomax's, leading to threats of violence and lawsuits. He was also a great Blues player, leaving trunk is very influential.
Very interesting. Wish the video had a few snippets of his sound
Great breakdown and history lesson.
I've never heard of lead belly. I will definitely look it up now
Great video!! Never knew much about Leadbelly but love a few songs. Enjoyed hearing his story... interesting to say the least!
4:49 Texas seems like the safest place to be caught with a pistol. It would make more sense to be charged for not having one
Nocap
It's amazing how forgiving the public can be.
I didn't even know about this musician. Thanks for these awesome and informing videos!
This was a truly fascinating story
“Bowie County” is named after Jim Bowie, pronounced Boo-ie. Nevertheless a great story about an amazing talent.
The title of this video could be better. He's a music legend, he wasn't a psychopathic serial killer or something.
I mean the title isn't wrong, just kinda sensationalized. But I get what you mean, Leadbelly is remembered foremost as a legendary musician. So putting him solely as a murderer in the title is a bit wrong, but that doesn't take away the fact that he did commit terrible acts such as murder, whether it be due to short temper or something else.
@@nordiknight9042 I’m confused guys all I heard was attempts when did he murder someone?
He killed at least two people.That we know of.
@@geraldfriend256 yea I realized after my comment it says it smh lol thank you
No, but if this shit happened today, we can all picture how social media would react, how everyone would react. Being allowed to sing one's way out of two murder/attempted murder convictions is obscene. I don't care how talented the guy was.
Just think of all the contemporary entertainers who have been 'canceled' for crimes they have only been accused of committing, accused online, haven't gone to trial, never been convicted - just accused. Boom - guilty in the court of Twitter. Their lives ruined. And this guy was a convicted, violent felon allowed to slide because he could play the guitar. This story is wild.
I’ve seen so many of your videos but I didn’t realize they are all the same person, very nice subjects!
I just took a picture at his grave, last week. It's in Mooringsport, Shreveport.
All of my favorite nirvana songs are covers! Man, Kurt knew good music! Thats for sure.
You re kidding right. I can see by your name what you call music
Kurt decides and the shotgun sings the song
@@davidhallett8783 are you okay?
Wow man, I've read Alan Lomax books and watched so many documentaries but somehow I never knew about his father. Super interesting, thanks
Champion Jack Dupree established himself in Europe also. Europeans took to black artists much more readily than Americans. But it's to the Lomax's credit to see Huddie's talent and put in nearly a decade of work into him. I have several of his records and the Library of Congress recording which are a wonderful window into life during those times.
Thanks for putting this out.
Thank you so much. Leadbelly4Life 👑👑👑
Sounds like a real blues musician🎸👀
I love your channel man! Very interesting stuff.
Thanks James really appreciate it!
@@deburke321 No problem brother!
Yay! A new episode of Morbid Musicians!
You have a new subscriber bro this is my first time coming across this channel
So glad I found this channel.
Thanks for watching! 😊
Rest in peace Leadbelly.🙏🎶🎸
His music was the primary influence on the Skiffle scene in the UK. Lonnie Donegan's version of Rock Island Line can be considered to be the first British Rock n Roll record; & of course Lennon & McCartney first band, The Quarrymen, played Leadbelly influenced Skiffle.
everyone leave their favourite lead belly song ❤️ mine is When I Was A Cowboy !
W.D.Y.S.L.N.
In The Pines
Kick me in the teeth.
Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen
This was very cool thanks for introducing me to him
15:08 I'm pretty certain that this man went through 2 world wars my dude. I'd backtrack to see how the first one may have affected Leadbelly.
Thanks for putting this together I’ve always been a fan of lead belly
Yes! A Leadbelly video! Awesome. As you could probably tell from my videos, I'm obsessed.
what????? i never knew he was a murderer. i love Goodnight Irene
One of the first true innovators of the blues, him and Robert Johnson.
Kurt Cobain wanted to buy his guitar for 500 thousand before he died. Kurt was a huge fan of Leadbelly.
Let's be honest. Hoodie Leadbetter (aka Leadbelly) would have destroyed any hip-hop artist. Fact!👊🏿
I read the book, "the life and legend of Leadbelly" back in the mid 1990s. There was a time where he was seen as a Communist sympathizer, because he was hanging out at American Communist party get togethers, and performed for them. But he just wanted to be around people that liked and appreciated his music.
Bravo Bravo Deburke321 you talked this to me like a movie 🎥. Kudos to you.
This is kurt Cobains favorite performer thank u for shedding light on him i was always so curious to who this man was that kurt idiolized
Nice. I never knew anything about leadbelly besides music until just now.
There needs to be a Leadbelly movie made already.
Sang his way out of prison what other person did such a thing, what a legend
Kodak
I sang my way out of community service once 💁🏿♂️
@@jimthehugger3890 pretty sure they just let him out. Or they got tired of lookin at a gremlin lol.
Merle Haggard
@@corecesmith1904 go on
Amazing video!!!!🙌
Lead Belly's government tax name was Hudie Ledbetter. It can be heard on his original recordings when he is addressed in person by John and Alan Lomax. Hudie is pronounced "HYOO-dee". HOODIE is a SWEATSHIRT, for christs sakes.
Leadbelly was from right here where I live. We have a bronze statue of him playing guitar in Downtown Shreveport.
I wish I could go back in time n live before social media.
That was only less than 20 years ago
My favorite song from Leadbelly was Where Did You Sleep Last Night? It just sounds so good.
My boy really sang his way to freedom.
What good is that "singing" doing him now?
@@alexistexas9114 bruh your names an washed up pornstar while he was known by the millions lmao
@@quionedavis3202 I made it big. Your name is just a bunch of ebonic gibberish. What have YOU done? 😂😂😂🖐
@@alexistexas9114 he left a huge impact on rock as well as blues, inspiring artists such as Kurt cobain of Nirvana, who made it huge in the mainstream *thanks to him*, I think his singing did quite a bit of good, considering he is a staple of blues and rock history.
@@mikah3312 😆😆😆😆😆😆
in shreveport louisiana we a neighborhood named after him ledbetter heights, its a ruff place
Leadbelly was the Blue Print. He was an incredibly talent Blues guitar player n a F bad ass which made him so much more interesting. Ragtime, Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Rock n Roll, Funk, RnB & Hip Hop are all Black American Invented/Owned Music n don't y'all ever forget it!
Nirvana's unplugged was epic, impeccable and the epitome of the concept of what was the foundation of an unplugged performance. Cobain belts out this song and piereces through your soul. The last line is one of greatest endings to a song. Vivid, it inhibits your darkness and shames you. Freaking awesomeness.
Nirvana covered "Where did you sleep last night?"
@@johnheller3630 it's on the unplugged album and TH-cam!!!
I just wanted to comment, i havent seen any of your uploads in awhile. Was wondering if you were ok so i checked your TH-cam and was surprised to see you've been regularly uploading. Im happy i have videos to catch up on, but frustrated that TH-cam didn't notify me of the uploads at all
Where do you get a 12 string guitar back then? Not many guitar shops.
Shit how easy was it to live on the run back then!
Terrific bio on Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter!
Truly an interesting tale. 🤯
Sanford and Son brought me here...
" I want my daddy's records"
One of the few Americans who could truly be called a troubadour. An almost mythic figure, and an architect of American music.
*a good starting point for getting into Leadbelly, are the Library of Congress recordings. It’s a pretty good summary of his whole career.
Alot of ppl don't know that the Nirvana song "Where did you sleep Last Night?" Was written by this man. Also, (I haven't watched the whole vid yet, so u may mention that lol) Edit: *sigh. U did lol, I shouldn't have doubted u man 😂
Haha appreciate it, Lead Belly didn't actually write the song, it was written in the 1870s but Nirvana covered did cover Lead Belly's rendition of the song
@@deburke321 I did not know that man, and your videos are getting better and better everytime! I have a few youtubers I recommend to people and you're one of them. Best wishes from Jax, FL. 🤘
learning about the blues makes me stay up allll night
I love my Raycons
Fascinating story. I do wonder what happened to his first wife and children though. His descendants surely wouldn’t be hard to trace?
What bugs me about people mentioning what RACE someone is ... There is only one RACE ... that is the human race. We are suppose to be equal but unfortunately there are people out there who do not think this way. Black people got a raw deal in the olden days and may of contributed to some people rebelling due to how they were treated. Leadbelly was one of a kind and no one would be the same and his story is very interesting. Shame he had a temper though and ended up in prison. These days I don't think he would of been able to sing himself out of prison. Oh how times have changed but there are lots of talented black people out there and I have the uppermost respect to them all. Leadbelly is a legend ...
Leadbelly found peace in California and his music production flourished, even overseas. That is cool.
Gday luv
What's old always returns
Musical Genius
Kurt Cobain idolized this man
Black. Artists laid the groundwork for today's music period
He's legendary a ICON
Sadly most musicians suffer from substance abuse then and now
Fabulous video, just mesmerizing.