Robert Pete Williams

Robert Pete Williams ( born March 14, 1914 in Zachary, Louisiana, † December 31, 1980 in Rosedale, Louisiana ) was an American blues guitarist and singer, whose playing style was distinguished by unusual guitar tunings and musical structures. His compositions often act by the time he has spent in prison. His song "I've Grown So Ugly " has been on the LP Safe as Milk, 2004 gecovert 1967 by Captain Beefheart from the Black Keys.

Life

Williams' parents were ' Sharecropper ', he himself spent almost his entire life in the area around Baton Rouge. Of the ethnomusicologists Dr. Harry Oster and Richard Allen, he was in 1959, 'discovered' in the state prison in Angola, Louisiana, where he was serving a life sentence because he had in 1956 shot a man at a local club ( Williams himself always relied on self-defense ). Oster and Allen Williams took it on as he delivered his songs about prison life, and to seek for his pardon. This was granted relatively quickly, but only partially, so that Williams initially was released only on the condition not to leave the state of Louisiana. The full pardon took place only in 1964, so he was allowed only after that are outside of Louisiana.

Meanwhile his fame on the basis of on his newly founded by Easter record label ' Louisiana Folklore Society ' had (1960 renamed ' Folk Lyric Records' ) brought out, later taken over by Chris Strachwitz ' Arhoolie Records LPs but already so widespread that it for a first appearance outside of Louisiana was posted on the July 1964 Newport Folk Festival takes place. Williams then began to tour the United States, and played on a number of occasions along with other ' rediscovered ' blues musicians such as Mississippi Fred McDowell. He continued his concert and festival appearances (including at the American Folk Blues Festival in 1966 and 1972 in Europe) continued until the late 1970s, when his health began to deteriorate.

Williams died in Rosedale at the age of 66 years.