Time and time again, Ted Gioia recounts the disappearance of a great blues musicians back into obscurity. These are men (and a few women) who, for the most part, grew up in the harsh oppressive climate of the white-controlled antebellum American South. They had seen harsh times and not much else. In this excerpt Gioia tells of Kid Bailey, a bluesman who disappeared after the creation of a few, now cherished, recordings. "Wardlow felt that Bailey might still be alive in the 1950s - and what a find that would have been! - yet the bluesman proved devilishly hard to track down." (103) Gioia talks again of the sketchy history of many famed blues artists. He writes, "Yet the disputes and uncertainties surrouding the name Willie Brown hardly stop there. Some have tried to use his enigmatic story in order to solve another Delta Blues mystery, drawing a connection between the Willie Brown recordings on Paramount with the work of the obscure musician known simply as Kid Bailey." These two examples of how blues artists have very sketchy, elusive histories, causes one to come to the conclusion that when faced with an opportunity to gain fame and wealth, some choose to sink back into obsurity to stay where they feel safe and familiar.
This conclusion is not true for most cases, which usually show the opposite approach on the behalf of the person whose future is in question. Gioia gives the example of Louis Armstrong, jazz great of the early 20th century, who made a fortune from small beginnings as the son of a New Orleans prostitute. Gioia also recounts the blues musicians who chose fame and wealth over their previous hard labor. He gives the example of B. B. King. Gioia says, "Yet no one could dispute King's popularity. The success of his records made it possible for him to tour anywhere in the country, and King's determination transformed the road life into a personal prerogative." (331) This recount of King's history shows that, just like so many others, when wealth and a future came knocking, he answered by leaving his sharecropping past and becoming a well known, well traveled success.
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It's interesting to read about the different decisions that musicians make when given the opportunity to become famous and rich. Perhaps the people who choose not to go into the public music-making business are wary of the high pressure and lack of privacy that come along with being famous. This reminds me of Harper Lee, who became a recluse after her book To Kill a Mockingbird became very popular. On one hand, I can understand that someone would want to get out of the public spotlight. On the other hand, though, it makes the rest of society feel as though we've been cheated out of something great--like an amazing musician or another wonderful book.
It is true to say that someone's past may alter there decisions for the future. The musician gave up their chance to become famous and rich because of what they experienced in the past. We get more of an inside view of the musician's head. Why is it that they choose not to become famous or to become famous? Things to consider may be there environment, pasts, or major events in their life.
It's important to understand an individual's motivation to play in the first place. For people like Kid Bailey, music is more about expressing one's self. Whereas some play for fame, recognition and money, there are musicians who play simply play because they enjoy it. To use a somewhat overused line, you can't buy happiness.
If you're interested in B.B. King's life -- from his humble beginnings through his rise to fame to his current status as a world icon still touring and performing -- come to the new B.B. King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi. Here in the heart of the Delta, this 20,000 square foot $15 million facility celebrates B.B.'s career and the area that he calls home. And while in the Delta, wander the Blues Heritage Trail to learn of the lives of other blues musicians. Contact us at 662 887-9539, ext. 229 or www.bbkingmuseum.org
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