Blind Boy Fuller
Blind Boy Fuller ( Fulton Allen actually; * July 10, 1907 in Wadesboro, North Carolina, † February 13, 1941 in Durham, North Carolina) was an influential American blues musician. Blind Boy Fuller, the star of the Piedmont blues is sometimes compared to Robert Johnson, King of the Delta Blues.
Little is known about the early years of Blind Boy Fuller. He is probably born in Wadesboro, North Carolina, 1903-1908. The blues researcher Bruce Bastin lays down on the July 10, 1907 fixed as a birthday.
As Fuller's mother died, the family moved to Rockingham, North Carolina. Here he met Cora Mae Martin, whom he married in 1926. At the wedding she was 14, he 18 years old. A little later, Fuller went blind completely; as the cause of a tumor is suspected. An unconfirmed legend tells, however, of a jealous lover who dumped him chemicals in the eye.
The young couple moved to Durham, North Carolina. Here Reverend Gary Davis learned Fuller, who became his mentor. Fuller earned his living as a street musician. The businessman and talent scout James Baxter Long allowed him in 1935 shooting in New York, along with Gary Davis and Bull City Red, followed by solo recordings in 1936 and 1937 that sold quite well.
Around this time, Fuller began to appear with the harmonica virtuoso Sonny Terry, with whom he made several recordings together. 1938 was diagnosed with syphilis Fuller; his condition deteriorated rapidly. In early 1941, Fuller made his last recordings in Chicago along with Red and Terry. He died in February 1941 and was buried in Durham.
Discography
- Truckin ' My Blues Away
- The Essential. Classic Blues
- I'm a Rattlesnakin 'Daddy
- Complete Recorded Works, Vol 1 (1935-1936) (1992 )
- Complete Recorded Works, Vol 3 ( 1937) ( 1992)
- Complete Recorded Works, Vol 4 (1937-1938) (1992 )
- Complete Recorded Works, Vol 6 ( 1940) ( 1992)
- Bull City Blues (2004)
- Remastered 1935-1938 (2004)
- Get Your Yas Yas Out ( 2007)
- East Coast Piedmont Style ( 2008)