... he was 61 when he died of a stroke in Milledgeville, Georgia.
Born in Thomson, Georgia Blind Willie was an influential African-American blues musician who sang and accompanied himself on the guitar. He was a twelve-string finger picking Piedmont blues guitarist, and recorded 149 songs between 1927 and 1956.
One of McTell's most famous songs, "Statesboro Blues", has often been considered by The Allman Brothers Band's fans to be one of their earliest signature songs. . Bob Dylan has paid tribute to McTell on at least four occasions: Firstly in his 1965 song "Highway 61 Revisited" in the second verse, which begins, "Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose," referring to one of Blind Willie McTell's many recording names.
He was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1981.
Press links below to view You Tube videos:
-- "Pal of Mine"
-- "Lonesome Day Blues"
-- Bob Dylan Tribute (from Ljubljana, Slovenia June 13, 2010)
