Henry Townsend (musician)
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Henry 'Mule' Townsend (born October 27, 1909 in Shelby, Mississippi, died September 24, 2006 in Mequon, Wisconsin) was an American blues singer, guitarist and pianist. He grew up in Cairo, Illinois and later moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he started recording with some of the early blues pioneers. He first recorded in 1929 and remained active as of 2006.
He was also one of the only artists known to have recorded in every decade for the last 80 years.
In 1985 he received the National Heritage Fellowship in recognition of being a master artist. In 1995 he was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Henry Townsend passed away September 24, 2006 at St. Mary's Ozaukee Hospital, Mequon, WI just hours after having been the first person presented with a 'key' in Grafton's Paramount Plaza Walk of Fame.
[edit] External links
- Blue Shoe Times outlining Henry's Life
- The Blue Shoe Project non-profit organization
- Henry James Townsend's Myspace profile
- Illustrated Henry Townsend discography
- Townsend's Entry at the St. Louis Walk of Fame
- Interview with Henry Townsend on Paramount Recordings
- Streaming audio interview with Mr. Henry Townsend
Categories: American musician stubs | Singer-guitarist stubs | 1909 births | 2006 deaths | African American musicians | American blues singers | American guitarists | American male singers | Blues guitarists | Blues pianists | Blues musicians from Mississippi | National Heritage Fellowship winners | St. Louis music