Fred McDowell (Jan 12, 1904 – Jul 3, 1972), also known as Mississippi Fred McDowell, was a blues singer and blues guitarist in the North Mississippi style. Born in Rossville, Tennessee, he started playing guitar at the age 14 at dances and continued to play at picnics and parties for tips as he eventually settled down in Como, Mississippi, in 1940, where he lived the rest of his life. In 1959, McDowell was discovered and recorded by folklorist Alan Lomax and later by Chris Strachwitz, owner of the Arhoolie label, releasing two very successful albums, Fred McDowell Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 in the mid-‘60s. This blues guitarist’s career came to an end when he died of cancer in 1972.
Top 5 Songs
Shake ‘Em On Down
61 Highway
Kokomo Me Baby
You Got To Move
John Henry
Top 3 albums
I Do Not Play No Rock ‘N’ Roll
Live in New York
Delta Blues
Discography
1964 Delta Blues (Arhoolie Records)
1965 My Home Is In The Delta (Testament Records)
1969 I Do Not Play No Rock ‘N’ Roll (Capitol Records)
1972 1904-1972 (Just Sunshine Records)
1973 Live In New York (Oblivion Records Inc.)
1980 Bluesmen 4 (Guimbarda)
1982 1962 (Heritage)
1990 Long Way From Home (Milestone Records)
1994 Amazing Grace (Testament Records)
1996 Mississippi Blues (Orbis)
1997 The First Recordings (Rounder Records)
2002 Mama Says I’m Crazy (Fat Possum Records)
2009 Fred McDowell (Mississippi Records)
