Blind Blake

The life and premature death of blues musician Blind Blake are something of a mystery and there are conflicting accounts of his life history. Blake was a renowned blues guitarist with a distinctive style which reflected that of ragtime piano players of the time. His recording legacy went on to inspire many musicians after; artists such as Ralph Mctell, Ry Cooder, John Fahey and Leon Redbone have all cited Blake as being an important influence in their own style.

Blake emerged into the public eye during the 1920s as a blind blues player from the south who would later be immortalised by the recordings he made for Paramount Records between 1926 and 1932. As Paramount's fortunes collapsed due to bankruptcy brought on by the Great Depression, so too did Blake's and it is reported that after the demise of Paramount he returned south and began playing outside hotels for money.

The most reliable account of Blake's life suggests that he suffered from pneumonia in 1933 and never fully recovered, eventually succumbing to pulmonary tuberculosis in late 1934.