Son House was born Eddie James House Jr. on March 21, 1902, in Mississippi. Before becoming a blues musician, he was a Baptist preacher, and the tension between religion and the blues would remain a theme throughout his life and music.
House began performing in the Mississippi Delta during the 1920s and became known for his powerful voice, intense slide guitar playing, and deeply emotional performances. He was a major influence on younger musicians, including Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.
In 1930, Son House made his first recordings for Paramount Records, producing songs such as “My Black Mama” and “Preachin’ the Blues.” Although the records sold poorly at the time, they later became recognized as some of the most important recordings in Delta blues history.
After years of obscurity, House was rediscovered in 1964 during the folk and blues revival. He returned to performing, recorded new albums, and introduced a new generation of listeners to authentic Delta blues.
Son House died on October 19, 1988, at the age of 86. Today he is regarded as one of the most influential figures in blues history, remembered for his raw, emotional style and his impact on generations of blues and rock musicians.
