Big Bill Broonzy

Lee Conley Bradley, also known as “Willie” Broonzy or “Big Bill” Broonzy, was a noteworthy guitarist, vocalist and songwriter during the golden age of the blues. Born in Arkansas, he began his career as a church violinist/country fiddler playing for religious services and local parties. He would later move to Chicago, Illinois, where he began performing in blues bands and learned to play the guitar. In the 1940’s he began writing, recording and performing with vocalist Lil Green as part of her backing band, finding commercial success with songs like “Romance in the Dark” and “Why Don’t You Do Right?”. He joined up with fellow musicians Win Stracke, Larry Lane and Studs Terkel to create a traveling American folk music program, I Came for to Sing, and performed across Europe. He passed away in 1958 due to throat cancer.