Son House, complete biography, Delta blues, historic recordings, concerts and discography

Profile

Son House (Edward James House Jr.; Riverton, Mississippi, March 21, 1902 – Detroit, Michigan, October 19, 1988) was an American singer, guitarist, and preacher, and one of the most important figures in Delta blues.

Son House is remembered as a leading exponent of Mississippi blues, central to the development of intensely delivered blues singing and slide guitar, and he exerted direct influence on musicians such as Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.

Origins and training (1900s – 1920s)

Raised in the Mississippi Delta, Son House was initially oriented toward religious preaching. Only in adulthood did he commit steadily to the blues, developing a style that combines:

• powerful, declamatory singing,

• slide guitar,

• essential blues structures.

His training took place in rural contexts—plantations, local gatherings, and juke joints.

1930s: first recordings and regional circulation (1930–1939)

Key recordings

In 1930 Son House recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, for Paramount Records.

Notable songs

• My Black Mama

• Preachin’ the Blues

• Dry Spell Blues

Activity and reception

• performances mainly in the Mississippi Delta,

• records circulated on a regional scale,

• direct influence on younger blues musicians active in the area.

His success remained geographically limited, but his style was clearly recognized among local blues musicians.

1940s: reduced activity and non-musical work (1940–1949)

During the 1940s Son House:

• almost completely stopped musical activity,

• worked as a railroad laborer and in other jobs,

• released no new commercial recordings.

In this period his name nearly disappeared from recording and performance circuits.

1950s: historical rediscovery and field recordings (1950–1959)

Recordings

In the 1950s he was located by folk music researchers and scholars, who recorded new performances for archives and small labels.

Circulation

• recordings circulated in academic and folk environments,

• Son House began to be cited as a key Delta blues figure.

The audience remained limited, but historical and musicological interest increased.

1960s: folk revival and international concerts (1964–1969)

Rediscovery

In 1964 Son House was formally “rediscovered” during the American folk revival.

Concerts and countries

In this period he:

• performed at folk festivals in the United States,

• gave concerts in the United Kingdom,

• played in France and Germany.

Songs commonly performed live

• Death Letter

• Grinnin’ in Your Face

• John the Revelator

Audiences were mainly composed of students, musicians, and enthusiasts of traditional folk and blues.

1970s: last recordings and gradual retirement (1970–1974)

Albums

• 1970 – The Father of Folk Blues

• 1974 – Real Delta Blues

Activity

• increasingly selective concerts,

• reduced activity due to health issues,

• definitive retirement from performing by the mid-decade.

Death

Son House died on October 19, 1988 in Detroit, aged 86, from natural causes.

His death was followed by renewed recognition in blues and folk circles, alongside growing reassessment of his historical catalog.

Musical style (practical points)

Son House is known for:

• extremely expressive, percussive singing,

• intense slide guitar approach,

• essential blues structures,

• performances suited to acoustic settings.

Discography

Early period / Paramount & Library of Congress (1930–1942)

(A phase dominated by 78 rpm recordings and field sessions; no contemporary LPs existed at the time.)

Key recordings and singles

Long hiatus (1943–1963)

(Son House withdrew from professional music; no official releases.)

Blues revival and rediscovery (1964–1970)

Studio / live albums

Late period and final recordings (1970–1988)

Major albums

Posthumous releases and historical compilations

Notable albums

Career indicators (fact-based)

• Documented activity in the Mississippi Delta in the 1930s.

• Rediscovery and concert activity in the United States and Europe in the 1960s.

• Direct influence on key blues musicians of the 20th century.

Conclusion

Son House is one of the foundational figures of Delta blues, with a career marked by:

• historic 1930s recordings,

• a long period of inactivity followed by international rediscovery,

• significant concert activity during the folk revival.