Lead Belly: A Life in Pictures

This is a new edition of Lead Belly: A Life in Pictures, the rich visual biography of legendary American folk musician Lead Belly, originally published by Steidl in 2007. Here is a treasure trove of rare photographs, news clippings, concert programs, personal correspondence (including letters from Woody Guthrie), record albums, awards and other memorabilia, some of which was discovered in a basement trunk in Brooklyn, safely stored by Lead BellyÆs wife MarthaùôMy wife is half my life, my guitar is the other half,ö he once said.

Born Huddie William Ledbetter (1889û1949), Lead Belly was an influential Louisiana bluesman who wrote and performed some of the best-loved songs of the twentieth century, including ôThe Midnight Special,ö ôCotton Fields,ö ôRock Island Line,ö ôWhere Did You Sleep Last Night?ö and his signature ôGoodnight, Irene.ö Notable for his strong vocals and virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, concertina and accordion. In 1934 L