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18 Minutes with Big Joe Williams

Born in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi in 1903, Joe Lee “Big Joe” Williams is a renowned blues musician known for his use of a nine-string guitar. He talks to Chris about making his living traveling with medicine shows, playing with a young Muddy Waters, and making records.

Big Joe Williams recording at Chris' house 1960
Big Joe Williams recording at Chris' house 1960
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  • The Robert Stone Sacred Steel Archive: Elton Noble Interview 00:00
Interviewee: Big Joe Williams with Mary Williams and Marcellus Thomas
Interviewer: Chris Strachwitz
Date: 1960
Location: The home of Chris Strachwitz, Los Gatos, CA
Language: English

Also see:
Interview with Marcellus Thomas

This is an interview originally recorded for research purposes. It is presented here in its raw state, unedited except to remove some irrelevant sections and blank spaces. All rights to the interview are reserved by the Arhoolie Foundation. Please do not use anything from this website without permission. info@arhoolie.org

PRESENTING:
Rumbo a california

The Arhoolie Foundation is proud to present: Rumbo a California: Making Mexican Music in the Golden State, a bilingual digital exhibition that explores the history of Mexican music in California and the stories of the people, labels, and events that have shaped it.

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