17 Facts About Arthur Crudup

Arthur William "Big Boy" Crudup was an American Delta blues singer, songwriter and guitarist.

Arthur Crudup had lessons with a local bluesman, whose name was Papa Harvey, and later he was able to play in dance halls and cafes around Forest.

Arthur Crudup began his career as a blues singer around Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Arthur Crudup stayed in Chicago to work as a solo musician but barely made a living as a street singer.

The record producer Lester Melrose allegedly found him while Arthur Crudup was living in a packing crate, introduced him to Hudson Whittaker, better known as Tampa Red, and signed him to a recording contract with RCA Victor's Bluebird label.

Arthur Crudup recorded with RCA in the late 1940s and with Ace Records, Checker Records and Trumpet Records in the early 1950s.

Arthur Crudup toured black clubs in the South, sometimes playing with Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James.

Arthur Crudup recorded under the names Elmer James and Percy Lee Crudup.

Arthur Crudup stopped recording in the 1950s because of disputes over royalties.

Arthur Crudup said, "I realised I was making everybody rich, and here I was poor".

Arthur Crudup returned to recording, for Fire Records and Delmark Records, and touring in 1965.

Arthur Crudup later moved to Virginia, where he lived with his family, including three sons and several of his siblings, and worked as a field laborer.

Arthur Crudup occasionally sang in and supplied moonshine to drinking establishments, including one called the Do Drop Inn, in Franktown, Northampton County.

Arthur Crudup died of complications of heart disease and diabetes in the Nassawadox hospital in Northampton County, Virginia, on March 28,1974, four years after the failed royalty settlement.

Arthur Crudup has been honored with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail, placed at Forest.

Arthur Crudup adds that "this song could contain the first ever guitar solo break".

The Blues Hall of Fame stated that Arthur Crudup "became known as 'The Father of Rock 'n' Roll' after Elvis Presley recorded three of his songs" but adds that "Arthur Crudup was a classic victim of music industry exploitation, and despite the commercial success of his music, was never able to even support his family from his music".