15 Facts About Leroy Carr

Leroy Carr was an American blues singer, songwriter and pianist who developed a laid-back, crooning technique and whose popularity and style influenced such artists as Nat King Cole and Ray Charles.

Leroy Carr first became famous for "How Long, How Long Blues", his debut recording released by Vocalion Records in 1928.

Leroy Carr was born March 27,1905 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Leroy Carr's parents were John Carr, a laborer at Vanderbilt University, and Katie Lytle, a domestic worker.

Leroy Carr returned to Indianapolis and worked in a meat-packing plant.

Leroy Carr was convicted of bootlegging and served a year at the Indiana State Penitentiary.

Leroy Carr had a longtime partnership with the guitarist Scrapper Blackwell.

Leroy Carr's first hit was "How Long, How Long Blues", recorded in 1928.

Rather than Smith's vaudeville jazz combos or Jefferson's idiosyncratic country picking, Leroy Carr sang over the solid beat of his piano and the biting guitar of his constant partner Francis Blackwell.

Leroy Carr was among the most prolific and popular blues artists between 1928 and 1935.

Leroy Carr's recording career was cut short by his early death, but he produced a large body of work.

Leroy Carr recorded for Vocalion until he signed with Victor's Bluebird imprint, where he made his final recordings.

Leroy Carr's last recording session was held in Chicago on February 25,1935, in which the reportedly temperamental Blackwell stormed out before the session was finished and Carr recorded his final song, "Six Cold Feet in the Ground", as a solo.

Leroy Carr's music has been recorded by a long list of artists, including Robert Johnson, Ray Charles, Big Bill Broonzy, Moon Mullican, Champion Jack Dupree, Lonnie Donegan, Long John Baldry, Memphis Slim, Barrelhouse Chuck and Eric Clapton.

Leroy Carr was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1982.