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Artist Portrait

Sonny Boy Williamson

voc, h, 1912-1965 US
Singer / Musician / Songwriter / Arranger of Blues
A.k.a. Alex Miller Big Skol Rice Miller

American blues singer & harmonica player at the emergence of 'electric blues'. Famous compositions include "Checkin' Up on My Baby", "Help Me", "Eyesight To The Blind", "Don't Start Me Talkin'". Not to be confused with the earlier & more 'acoustic' Sonny Boy Williamson (of "Good Morning, School Girl" fame). Subsequent research has shown that Miller was born Aleck Ford on the Sara Jones Plantation in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. He took on the name of his sharecropper stepfather, Jim Miller. His gravestone lists his date of birth as March 11, 1908. The stone erected by his sisters in Tutwiler, MS, lists his death as 23 June 1965. Such is the mystery of blues legends. At BMI he is known as > Songwriter/Composer: WILLIAMSON WILLIE > Current Affiliation: BMI CAE/IPI #: 63518579 For the songlist, please use the link below. Born : December 05, 1899 // Glendora, Miss., United States Died : May 25, 1965 // Helena, Ark., United States

     
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Harmonica
  • Piano
  • Harp
Genres
  • Blues
  • Rock
  • R&B/Soul
Plays With
Sonny Boy Williamson His Harmonica & Houserockers
Popular Tracks   
Jivin' The Blues on Blues Classics 3 by Sonny Boy Williamson
Keep It to Yourself on Clownin' with the World by Sonny Boy Williamson & Willie Love
City of New Orleans on Clownin' with the World by Sonny Boy Williamson & Willie Love
She's Crazy on Clownin' with the World by Sonny Boy Williamson & Willie Love
Shuckin' Mama on Clownin' with the World by Sonny Boy Williamson & Willie Love
I'm Not Beggin' Nobody on Clownin' with the World by Sonny Boy Williamson & Willie Love
Sonny's Rhythm on Clownin' with the World by Sonny Boy Williamson & Willie Love
309 on Clownin' with the World by Sonny Boy Williamson & Willie Love
Clownin' with the World on Clownin' with the World by Sonny Boy Williamson & Willie Love
Groundhog Blues on Blues Classics 3 by Sonny Boy Williamson

Track list and 30sec audio provided by

Band Members
Discography



Title Artist Year Type
Don't Start Me Talkin' I'll Tell Everything I Know: The Complete Checker Singles 1955-1962Sonny Boy Williamson2015Album
The Trumpet Singles 1947-1955Sonny Boy Williamson2015Compil.
The Trumpet Singles On Shellac 1951-1958Sonny Boy Williamson2013Compil.
From The Bottom Of The BluesSonny Boy Williamson2012Compil.
Blues Greats Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson2011Compil.
Down And Out BluesSonny Boy Williamson2010Compil.
Transatlantic BluesJohn Mayall, Sonny Boy Williamson2009Compil.
Charly Blues Masterworks Volume 05 - Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson2009Compil.
The Chronological Sonny Boy Williamson 1953-1956Sonny Boy Williamson2008Compil.
Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) 1951/1957Sonny Boy Williamson2008Compil.
Nine Below ZeroSonny Boy Williamson2008Compil.
Harmonica WizardSonny Boy Williamson2007Compil.
Cool, Cool Blues: The Classic Sides 1951 - 1954Sonny Boy Williamson2006Compil.
Delta BluesSonny Boy Williamson2006Compil.
Bye Bye SonnySonny Boy Williamson2006Compil.
Eyesight To The BlindSonny Boy Williamson2005Compil.
Sonny Boy - The ARC ClassicsSonny Boy Williamson2005Compil.
Down And Out Blues / In MemoriumSonny Boy Williamson2004Compil.
Memphis Slim & Sonny Boy Williamson Live In EuropeMemphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson2004Album
Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson2004Compil.
The World Of BluesSonny Boy Williamson2004Compil.
Nine Below ZeroSonny Boy Williamson2004Compil.
The Chronological Sonny Boy Williamson: 1951-1953Sonny Boy Williamson2004Compil.
Sugar Mama BluesSonny Boy Williamson2002Compil.
Eyesight To The BlindSonny Boy Williamson2002Compil.
The Real Folk Blues / More Real Folk BluesSonny Boy Williamson2002Compil.
Blues LegendsSonny Boy Williamson2002Compil.
Pontiac BluesThe Animals, Sonny Boy Williamson2001Compil.
U.K. BluesSonny Boy Williamson with Eric Clapton & The Yardbirds, Eric Burdon & The Animals2001Compil.
I Ain't Beggin' NobodySonny Boy Williamson with B.B. King, Willie Love and Joe Willie Wilkins2000Compil.
The Best Of Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson2000Compil.
The Complete Crawdaddy RecordingsThe Yardbirds & Sonny Boy Williamson1999Album
Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson1999Compil.
The MastersSonny Boy Williamson1998Compil.
His BestSonny Boy Williamson1997Compil.
Nine Below ZeroSonny Boy Williamson1996Compil.
The Animals With Sonny Boy WilliamsonThe Animals With Sonny Boy Williamson1996Compil.
Portrait Of A Blues ManSonny Boy Williamson1996Compil.
Live In EnglandSonny Boy Williamson With The Yardbirds & The Animals1995Compil.
In EuropeSonny Boy Williamson1995Album
Bring It On HomeSonny Boy Williamson1994Compil.
The E P Collection PlusSonny Boy Williamson1994Compil.
CollectionSonny Boy Williamson1994Compil.
Clownin' With The WorldSonny Boy Williamson / Willie Love1993Compil.
The Essential Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson1993Compil.
Les Génies Du BluesThe Animals With Sonny Boy Williamson1992Compil.
Nine Below ZeroSonny Boy Williamson1992Compil.
The World Of Sonny Boy Williamson / One Way OutSonny Boy Williamson1992Compil.
Nine Below ZeroSonny Boy Williamson1992Compil.
Boppin' With SonnySonny Boy Williamson1992Album
Help MeSonny Boy Williamson1991Compil.
Goin' In Your DirectionSonny Boy Williamson With B.B. King, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup And Willie Love1991Album
Temperature 110 / 99Sonny Boy Williamson1991Single
Blues Masters, Vol. 12Sonny Boy Williamson1991Compil.
Stop CryingSonny Boy Williamson1991Compil.
Keep It To YourselfSonny Boy Williamson1991Compil.
Keep It To OurselvesSonny Boy Williamson1990Album
King Biscuit TimeSonny Boy Williamson1990Compil.
16 Great HitsThe Animals, Sonny Boy Williamson1990Compil.
Don't Start Me To Talkin' (Volume 1)Sonny Boy Williamson1990Compil.
Stop CryingSonny Boy Williamson1989Compil.
Blues Brothers 18 R 'n' B ClassicsMuddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Lowell Fulson, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Milton, Buddy Guy, Little Walter1989Compil.
Solo HarpSonny Boy Williamson / Walter Horton1989Compil.
Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson1989Compil.
Work With MeSonny Boy Williamson1989Compil.
The Best Of Sonny Boy Williamson Vol. 1Sonny Boy Williamson1989Compil.
Chess MastersSonny Boy Williamson1988Compil.
The Chess YearsSonny Boy Williamson1987Album
The Collection - 20 Blues GreatsSonny Boy Williamson1986Compil.
The Best OfSonny Boy Williamson1986Compil.
The Checker BoxSonny Boy Williamson1985Compil.
Talk That Talk - Sonny Boy at The Chess Studio 1957-61Sonny Boy Williamson1984Compil.
Sonny Boy Williamson Vol 2Sonny Boy Williamson1983Compil.
This Is My StorySonny Boy Williamson1982Compil.
Original Blues & Rhythm & BluesSonny Boy Williamson1982Compil.
Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson1981Compil.
Esther Phillips / Jimmy McGriff / Little Junior Parker / Sonny Boy Williamson / Ike & Tina Turner / Blues ImageEsther Phillips / Jimmy McGriff / Little Junior Parker / Sonny Boy Williamson / Ike & Tina Turner / Blues Image1981Compil.
Big Joe Williams & Sonny Boy Williamson 'No. 2'Big Joe Williams & Sonny Boy Williamson1980Compil.
Way Out Harp From Deep SouthSonny Boy Williamson1979Compil.
Final Sessions 1963-4Sonny Boy Williamson1979Album
Don't Make A MistakeSonny Boy Williamson1979Compil.
Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson1976Compil.
Rock Guitar GreatsJimi Hendrix / Eric Clapton / Jeff Beck / Jimmy Page / Sonny Boy Williamson1975Compil.
One Way OutSonny Boy Williamson1975Compil.
"It's King Biscuit Time"Sonny Boy Williamson1975Single
Bring It On HomeSonny Boy Williamson1973Compil.
Rock Generation Volume 9 - Sonny Boy Williamson + Jimmy Page / The Brian Auger TrinitySonny Boy Williamson + Jimmy Page / Brian Auger & The Trinity1972Compil.
The Best Of Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson1972Compil.
Sonny Boy Williamson + Animals (Faces & Places Vol. 2)Sonny Boy Williamson + The Animals1972Album
Rock Generation Volume 3 - Sonny Boy Williamson's Visit To England 1963 + Graham Bond - Or The Beginning Of Jazz-RockSonny Boy Williamson & The Animals / The Graham Bond Organization1972Compil.
Rock Generation Volume 10 - Julie Driscoll's First Recordings And Sonny Boy Williamson's LastJulie Driscoll and Sonny Boy Williamson1972Compil.
The Harmonica Blues OfSonny Terry / Doctor Ross / Hammie Nixon With Sleepy John Estes / Sonny Boy Williamson1972Compil.
Bye Bye BirdSonny Boy Williamson1970Compil.
Bummer RoadSonny Boy Williamson1969Album
Don't Send Me No FlowersSonny Boy Williamson With Brian Auger & The Trinity / Joe Harriott / Alan Skidmore / Jimmy Page1968Album
Don't Start Me Talkin' / Help MeSonny Boy Williamson1968Single
Baby Let Me Come Back Home / November Boogie / All Nite Boogie / Leavin BluesSonny Boy Williamson1966Single
Bring It On HomeSonny Boy Williamson1966Single
The Real Folk BluesSonny Boy Williamson1966Album
More Real Folk BluesSonny Boy Williamson1966Album
Blues Classics By "The Original" Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson1965Compil.
Sonny Boy Williamson & The YardbirdsSonny Boy Williamson & The Yardbirds1965Album
Sonny Boy WilliamsonSonny Boy Williamson1965Single
The Real Folk Blues Volume 2Sonny Boy Williamson1965Single
My Younger Days / I Want You Close To MeSonny Boy Williamson1964Single
Lonesome CabinSonny Boy Williamson1964Single
Folk Festival Of The BluesMuddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson1964Album
Down And Out BluesSonny Boy Williamson1964Single
Help MeSonny Boy Williamson1964Single
Sonny Boy Williamson And Memphis SlimSonny Boy Williamson And Memphis Slim1964Album
The Blues Of Sonny Boy WilliamssonSonny Boy Williamson1963Album
Portraits In Blues Vol. 4Sonny Boy Williamson1963Album
Help MeSonny Boy Williamson1963Single
Bye Bye BirdSonny Boy Williamson1963Single
Trying To Get Back On My FeetSonny Boy Williamson1963Single
One Way Out / Nine Below ZeroSonny Boy Williamson1962Single
Stop Right NowSonny Boy Williamson1961Single
Your Funeral & My Trial / Wake Up BabySonny Boy Williamson1960Album
Trust My Baby / Too Close TogetherSonny Boy Williamson1960Single
The Goat / It's Sad To Be AloneSonny Boy Williamson1960Single
Temperature 110 / Lonesome CabinSonny Boy Williamson1960Single
Down And Out BluesSonny Boy Williamson1959Album
Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide / Unseeing EyeSonny Boy Williamson1959Single
Cross My HeartSonny Boy Williamson1958Single
Born BlindSonny Boy Williamson1958Single
Crazy 'Bout You, Baby / Eyesight To The BlindSonny Boy Williamson1958Album
Fattening Frogs For SnakesSonny Boy Williamson1957Single
Keep It To YourselfSonny Boy Williamson1956Single
Let Me Explain / Your ImaginationSonny Boy Williamson1956Single
No Nights By Myself / Boppin' With SonnySonny Boy Williamson1956Single
Don't Start Me Talkin' / All My Love In VainSonny Boy Williamson1955Album
Mighty Long Time / Nine Below ZeroSonny Boy Williamson1952Album
Pontiac Blues / Sonny Boy's Christmas BluesSonny Boy Williamson1951Album
Cool, Cool Blues / Do It If You WantaSonny Boy Williamson1951Album
In MemorianSonny Boy WilliamsonSingle
Don't Start Me Talkin' / All My Love In VainSonny Boy WilliamsonSingle
Sonny Boy Williamson & The English Pop GiantsSonny Boy WilliamsonCompil.
Somebody Help Me / Fattening Frogs For SnakesSonny Boy WilliamsonSingle
The Last Sessions 1963Sonny Boy WilliamsonAlbum
The Best Of Sonny Boy Williamson Vol. 2Sonny Boy WilliamsonCompil.
Rock Generation Volume 4 - Graham Bond Organisation + Sonny Boy Williamson & The AnimalsThe Graham Bond Organization + Sonny Boy Williamson & The AnimalsCompil.
Help Me / Fattening Frogs For SnakesSonny Boy WilliamsonSingle
& The Yardbirds With Eric Clapton, & The Animals Live! With Eric BurdonSonny Boy WilliamsonCompil.
External Links
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Acknowledgements
To all the music fans that are contributing on Discogs, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia. Thanks to Franz Flückiger for providing Storygram used to visualize band membership.
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