Big Bill Broonzy

The Profile

William Lee Conley “Big Bill” Broonzy was an American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. A central figure in Chicago blues, he bridged rural and urban styles, blending folk, spirituals, work songs, and ragtime. Active from the late 1920s until 1958, his 1957 Chicago sessions were released as The Bill Broonzy Story (Verve, 1961), interleaving songs with spoken recollections.

Recorded The Bill Broonzy Story in Chicago on July 12, 1957; often played acoustic guitar (with limited electric recordings in the 1940s); his 1941 take on “Key To The Highway” featured Washboard Sam, Jazz Gillum, and Ransom Knowling; died on August 15, 1958.

A single, glowing review dives into The Bill Broonzy Story, recorded in Chicago in 1957 and released by Verve in 1961. It frames Broonzy as a central Chicago blues figure who bridged rural and urban styles, blending folk, spirituals, work songs, and ragtime. The set interleaves 35 performances with spoken anecdotes, spotlighting his voice, acoustic guitar touch, and interpretive power. Highlights include “Key To The Highway,” “Southbound Train,” and striking covers like “Backwater Blues.”