Lead Belly was an American folk and blues guitarist who achieved fame for his work on a twelve-string guitar and hit songs like “Black Betty” and “Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.” Before gaining worldwide recognition, he left his family in his early twenties to chase after a music career, but ultimately ended up working as a laborer. Lead Belly was born on January 20, 1888 in Louisiana, United States. Lead Belly died on December 6, 1949 at the age of 61 years in . Discover below for comprehensive details about Lead Belly, including the biography, wiki profile, age, date of birth, family background, relationship status, interesting facts, photographs, lesser-known facts, and more.
Lead Belly Wiki Table
Stage Name | Lead Belly |
Real Name | Lead Belly |
Profession(s) | Guitarist, |
Birthday | January 20, 1888 |
Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
Death | Died on December 6, 1949 (74 years ago) (Age: 61 years) in |
Gender | Male |
Birthplace | Louisiana, United States |
Hometown | Louisiana, Louisiana, United States |
Nationality | American |
Lead Belly Family and Personal Life
- Lead Belly was born in Louisiana, United States.
- Lead Belly’s birth sign is Aquarius.
Lead Belly Biography and Facts
- Who is Lead Belly? Lead Belly, born Huddie Ledbetter, was an American folk and blues guitarist known for his influence on artists like Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie.
- Early Life: He was born in 1895 to Sallie Brown and Wesley Ledbetter. He had an older sister named Australia. He left his family home in his early twenties to pursue his dreams of being a musician.
- Career as a Laborer: Before gaining fame, Lead Belly worked as a laborer to earn a living, including jobs at coal mines and construction sites.
- Musical Career: He released over one hundred songs during his career. He could skillfully play other instruments like piano, harmonica, and violin.
- Hit Songs: His most famous songs include “Black Betty” and “Ain’t Gonna Study War No More,” which became blues standards.
- Song Themes: Lead Belly’s songs often dealt with real-world issues and newsmakers. For instance, he wrote a song about Howard Hughes.