Big Bill Broonzy (born Lee Conly Bradley, probably in 1903) was one of 17 children born to Frank Broonzy Bradley and Mittie Belcher, both of whom were former slaves. Broonzy grew up in Arkansas, learning the violin at an early age, moved to Chicago sometime in his 20s, married, and eventually gained fame for his playing. He played and lived in Europe for many years, then returned to Chicago where he passed away from cancer in 1958. This song, Mississippi River Blues, was written by Broonzy and first recorded in 1934. Broozny also wrote two songs about the 1937 floods along the Ohio River: Terrible Flood Blues and Southern Flood Blues.
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