Juke Boy Bonner
Weldon H. Philip Bonner, Juke Boy Bonner known as (* March 22, 1932 in Bellville, Texas, † June 29, 1978 in Houston, Texas ) was an African American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player ( " The One Man Trio ").
Weldon Bonner began as a teenager, playing guitar. In 1947, he won a talent contest in Houston, who gave him an appearance on a local radio station. In 1956 he traveled to Oakland, where he made a first recording session on Bob Geddins ' record label Irma with Lafayette " Thing" Thomas on lead guitar ( " Rock with Me Baby " / " Well Baby" ). Next, he took in 1960 for Eddie Shuler's Goldband Records with Katie Webster on piano, but also this resulted in no really resounding success.
Was aware of him only when the mid-1960s the editor of the British blues magazine " Blues Unlimited", Mike Leadbitter and 1967/68 launched a single on the same label and a first long -playing record on Flyright Records, began for him an international career with appearances in the United States, Britain and continental Europe ( for example at the American Folk Blues Festival 1969).
His best recordings were made in the late 1960s from poems that he wrote during his many hospital stays, and then set to music (Ghetto Poet). They were published mainly on Chris Strachwitz ' Arhoolie Records and Bruce Bastins Flyright label.
Juke Boy Bonner died in 1978 from cirrhosis.