It's the birthday of the "King of the Slide Guitar," Elmore James (January 27, 1918).

When I first heard Elmore James, he zinged my ear drums! What a crisp assertive sound! What a powerful voice! His opening guitar riff said, "Look here! Listen to this!" He is one of my heroes of the blues!

Click the Elmore James pic to hear his best-known song and first hit (1951), the blues standard "Dust My Broom" (also known as "Dust My Blues").

James was born Elmore Brooks in Richland, Holmes County, Mississippi, the illegitimate son of 15-year-old Leola Brooks, a field hand. His father was probably Joe Willie "Frost" James, who moved in with Leola, and Elmore took his surname. He began making music at the age of 12, using a simple one-string instrument (diddley bow, or jitterbug) strung on a shack wall. As a teen he performed at dances under the names Cleanhead and Joe Willie James. He married Minnie Mae about 1942. He subsequently married at least twice more.

Click Elmore to hear his 1953 hit, "I Believe." The piano man is Ike Turner.

Click Elmore to hear "It Hurts Me Too" (1957).

Click Elmore to hear, "Shake Your Money Maker," a song that did not appear on Your Hit Parade!

Click Elmore to hear "I Can't Hold Out" (1960).

Click The Man for "Good Bye, Baby"

"Blues before Sunrise"

"Elmore James only knew one lick, but you had the feeling that he meant it."  - Frank Zappa