Leadbelly, also known as Lead Belly or Huddie Ledbetter, was one of the most influential folk and blues musicians of the twentieth century. He was famous for his powerful vocals, his virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the songs he introduced to the world, such as “Goodnight, Irene”, “Midnight Special”, and “Black Betty”. He also wrote songs about social issues, historical events, and personal experiences, such as “The Bourgeois Blues”, “The Titanic”, and “Rock Island Line”. He influenced many artists, such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Nirvana, and Led Zeppelin. But how did this legendary musician die? What was the cause of his death? And what was the disease that took his life?
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Leadbelly’s Early Life and Career
Leadbelly was born in 1888 in Louisiana, to a family of sharecroppers. He learned to play music from his uncle and his father, who both played the accordion. He also learned to play the guitar, the piano, the mandolin, the harmonica, and the violin. He started performing at an early age, playing at parties, dances, and churches. He also worked as a laborer, a cowboy, a soldier, and a railroad worker.
Leadbelly had a turbulent life, marked by violence, racism, and imprisonment. He was arrested several times for various crimes, such as assault, murder, and attempted escape. He spent time in prisons in Texas and Louisiana, where he endured harsh conditions and brutal treatment. He also used his music as a way to cope with his situation, and to appeal to the authorities for his release. He sang songs for the governors of Texas and Louisiana, who both granted him pardons. He also met John Lomax and Alan Lomax, two folklorists who recorded his songs and helped him gain recognition.
Leadbelly moved to New York in 1935, where he became part of the folk music revival. He performed at concerts, clubs, colleges, and radio shows. He also collaborated with other musicians, such as Woody Guthrie, Josh White, Sonny Terry, and Brownie McGhee. He recorded hundreds of songs for various labels, such as ARC, RCA, Capitol, and Folkways. He also traveled to Europe, where he performed for enthusiastic audiences.
Leadbelly’s Illness and Death
In 1949, Leadbelly began to experience health problems. He suffered from abdominal pain, muscle weakness, and difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells that control the voluntary muscles. There is no known cure for ALS, and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is three to five years.
Leadbelly continued to perform and record, despite his worsening condition. He made his last public appearance in June 1949, at the University of Texas in Austin. He also recorded his last session in September 1949, for Folkways Records. He died on December 6, 1949, in New York City, at the age of 61. He was buried in Mooringsport, Louisiana, in the Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery.
Leadbelly’s Legacy and Influence
Leadbelly left behind a rich and diverse musical legacy, that spans genres, styles, and cultures. His songs have been covered by countless artists, such as The Weavers, Lonnie Donegan, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Ram Jam, Van Morrison, Tom Waits, and R.E.M. His recordings have been preserved and reissued by various institutions, such as the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Lead Belly Foundation. His life and music have been celebrated and documented in books, films, plays, and festivals.
Leadbelly is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential musicians of all time. He is recognized as a pioneer of folk, blues, rock, and country music. He is also admired as a storyteller, a poet, a historian, and a social critic. He is a symbol of resilience, creativity, and freedom. He is the king of the twelve-string guitar, and the voice of the people. He is Leadbelly.
