Big Joe Williams
Guitarist
Delta blues musician known as much for his nine-string guitar playing as for his notoriously cankerous personality.
In the days before blues musicians could make a living from selling records, he traveled around the United States playing alleys, bars, stores, and any place else that would have him.
His instrument of choice was a modified nine-string guitar, with three extra strings added so no others could play it.
He was born in Crawford, Mississippi.
Robert Johnson was another prominent Delta Blues guitarist and a contemporary of Big Joe's.