Charley Patton

Charley Patton
Publicity photo for Paramount Records, the only confirmed extant photograph of Patton, c. 1929
Background information
Also known as
  • The Masked Marvel
  • Elder J. J. Hadley
Bornc. April 1891
Hinds County, Mississippi, U.S.
Died28 April 1934(1934-04-28) (aged 43)
Heathman Plantation, Sunflower County, Mississippi, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
Years active1916–1934
Labels

Charlie Patton (April 1891 (probable) – April 28, 1934), more often spelled Charley Patton, was an American Delta blues musician and songwriter. Considered by many to be the "Father of the Delta Blues", he created an enduring body of American music and inspired most Delta blues musicians. The musicologist Robert Palmer considered him one of the most important American musicians of the twentieth century.

Patton (who was well educated by the standards of his time) spelled his name Charlie,[1] but many sources, including record labels and his gravestone, use the spelling Charley.[2]

  1. ^ "• Charley Patton April 28, 1891 – April 28, 1934..." Iloveancestry.net. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
  2. ^ "Charley Patton (1891–1934)". Findagrave.com. Retrieved July 11, 2014.