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USING MUSIC MONIKERS AS MEANS TO FACILITATE THE HISTORY OF
POPULAR MUSIC
by Mark Crawford
Early in my teaching career I used to think history-related
subjects should be some of the easiest classes for college
students to pass. I mean, after all, it’s all a bunch
of names and dates, right? A fact is a fact, right?
As my teaching career progressed I
learned not to make such an assumption about history subjects
and students’ class performance. I think the turning
point came when I had students talking about World War II
happening in the 60s, or the phonograph being invented over
200 hundred years ago, or the oldest pop song they knew of
being a Motown song (true stories!).
A few years ago I began teaching a
course entitled History of Popular Music. I thought that due
to the subject matter, and being a required class for commercial
music majors, students would readily embrace the cultural
and political events that shaped the music, as well as have
an affinity for the music itself. Again, I learned not to
assume. I discovered that as “fun” as this course
could be, it was still an academic exercise that required
physical (you must wake up for class) and mental (cognitions
must be formed) exertion.
To help facilitate course content,
as well as encourage retention, one method I began using was
to link names to corresponding monikers. This provided an
additional method for the students to remember a significant
contributor to popular music. For example, almost every adult
music aficionado knows “The Prez” was Lester Young
(who was “The Vice-Prez?”), or that Benny Goodman
was “The King of Swing,” (who was “The Queen
of Swing?”) but for a younger person – this year’s
freshmen were born sometime close to 1989 – an extra
identifier helps commit the information.
Not only can the monikers be used for
matching questions on quizzes and/or tests, they can also
stimulate class discussion. For instance, what was it about
Helen May Butler that she was called “The Female Sousa?,”
or what similarities did the “Caruso of Rock”
– Roy Orbison, and the “Country Caruso”
– Johnny Bush, have with Enrico Caruso?
Further discussion can result as students
debate whether an individual deserves their moniker. Present
these scenarios to a class: Elvis was not the first “King
of Rock & Roll,” Bill Haley was. How was Haley dethroned?;
or, what happened to Spade Cooley that he was usurped by Bob
Wills as “The King of Western Swing?”
Not all significant contributors to
popular music have a moniker, and some monikers have several
claimants. This itself can lead to class discussion. For example,
search for “The Father of Rock & Roll” on
the Internet and see the different responses.
With so many names and monikers another
exercise is to group certain names and monikers based on commonalities.
I’ve included two. One grouping I entitled “Counterparts”
(e.g., Ricardo Scales – “The Black Liberace,”
Wayne Cochran – “The White James Brown”)
and another list identifies animals (e.g., George Jones –
“The Possum,” Charlie Rich – “The
Silver Fox”). The point of this exercise is to encourage
students to become familiar enough with the names and monikers
to pull out other commonalities, such as titles by royalty,
by occupations, etc., and hopefully retain more about popular
music history.
The names and monikers I collected
came from various sources including biographies, autobiographies,
magazines, museums, the Internet, liner notes, and so forth.
I stayed away from nicknames and stage names and listed those
names and monikers that were consistently paired. I also tried
to include as many current websites as possible. Textbooks
simply don’t have the space for the wealth of additional
information provided on all the individual web-sites.
The list is a work in progress and
additional names and monikers can be forwarded to me at: macrawford@tnstate.edu.
MUSIC MONIKERS
Complied by Dr. Mark Crawford, Fall 2007
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
macrawford@tnstate.edu
I. GENRES
BLUES
Ace, Buddy the Silver Fox of the Blues 1936-1994
Adams, Johnny the Tan Canary 1932-1998
Blue, Sammy the Crown Prince of the Blues
1951-
Brooks, Hadda Empress of the Torch Blues;
haddabrooks.tripod.com 1916-2002
Queen of the Boogie
Clapton, Eric Slowhandericclapton.com 1945-
Clearwater, Eddy the Chief eddieclearwater.com
1935-
Collins, Albert the Iceman; Master of the
Telecaster 1932-1993
Cox, Ida the Sepia Mae West 1890-1967
Guy, Buddy Father of the Modern Electric
Blues buddyguy.net 1936-
Handy, W.C. Father of the Blues wchandyfest.com
1873-1958
Harris, Wynonie Mr. Blues 1915-1969
Hooker, John Lee King of Endless Boogie johnleehooker.com
1917-2001
House, Eddie “Son” Father of
Delta Blues 1902-1988
James, Elmore Father/King of the Slide Guitar
1915-1963
Jefferson, Blind Lemon King of the Country
Blues 1897-1929
Johnson, Robert King of the Delta Blues;
robertjohnsonbluesfoundation.org 1911-1938
Grandfather of Rock & Roll
King, Albert the Velvet Bulldozer albertking.net
1923-1992
King, B.B. King of the Blues bbking.com 1925-
King, Freddie the Texas Cannonball freddiekingsite.com
1934-1976
Ledbetter, Huddie “Lead Belly”
King of the 12 String Guitarleadbelly.org 1888-1949
Mason, Norman “Dutch” Prime Minister
of the Blues dutchmason.com 1938-2006
Merriweather, Big Maceo King of Chicago Blues
Piano 1905-1953
Pahinui, Gabby King of Slack Key 1921-1980
Patton, Charlie Father of Delta Blues 1891-1934
Rainey, Ma Mother of the Blues 1882-1939
Rebennack, Jr., Malcolm Dr. John; the Midnight
Tripper drjohn.org 1940-
Reed, Jimmy Big Boss Man 1925-1976
Rushing, Jimmy Mr. 5 x 5 jimmyrushing.com
1901-1972
Smith, Bessie Empress of the Blues 1892-1937
Smith, Clara Queen of the Moaners 1894-1935
Taylor, KoKo Queen of the Blues kokotaylor.net
1935-
Thomas, Tabby King of Swamp Blues 1929-
Turner, Big Joe Boss of the Blues 1911-1985
Walker, T-Bone Father of Electric Blues 1910-1975
Walter, Little King of Blues Harmonica littlewalter.net
1930-1968
Waters, Muddy Father/King of Chicago Blues
muddywaters.com 1915-1983
White, Miss Lavelle Queen of the Soul and
Blues misslavelle.com 1929-
Willis, Chuck King of the Stroll 1928-1958
Wilson, Ruby Queen of Beale Street ?
Woodbridge, Hudson “Tampa Red”
the Guitar Wizard 1904-1981
Wright, Billy Prince of the Blues 1932-1991
BOOGIE-WOOGIE
Ball, Maricia Queen of Boogie Piano 1949-
Brooks, Hadda Queen of the Boogie; haddabrooks.tripod.com
1916-2002
Empress of the Torch Blues
DeWitt, Wendy Queen of Boogie-Woogie Piano
wendydewitt.com ?
Hooker, John Lee King of Endless Boogie johnleehooker.com
1917-2001
Liggins, Joe the Shuffle Boogie King 1915-1987
Webster, Katie the Swamp Boogie Queen 1936-1999
COUNTRY (Bluegrass, C/W, Rockabilly,
Western Swing)
Acuff, Roy King of Country Music royacuff.com
1903-1992
Adkins, Hasil the Haze hasiladkins.com 1937-2005
Arnold, Eddy the Ambassador of Country Music
eddyarnold.com 1918-
Atkins, Chet Mr. Guitar misterguitar.com
1924-2001
Autry, Gene the Singing Cowboy autry.com
1907-1998
Baez, Joan Queen of Folk joan-baez.com 1941-
Brown, Milton Father of Western Swing 1903-1936
Bush, Johnny the Country Caruso johnnybush.com
1935-
Cash, Johnny the Man in Black johnnycash.com
1932-2003
Cooley, Spade the Original King of Western
Swing 1910-1969
Cotton, Carolina the Yodeling Blonde Bombshell
carolinacotton.org 1926-1997
Day, Jimmy Mr. Country Soul 1934-1999
Dean, Jimmy Dean of Country Music jimmydean.com
1928-
Evans, Dale Queen of the West royrogers.com
1912-2001
Ford, Tennessee Ernie the Ole’ Pea-picker
ernieford.com 1919-1991
Gimble, Johnny King of the Swing Fiddle johnnygimble.com
1925-
Greene, Jack the Jolly Green Giant jackgreeneopry.com
1930-
Green, Lloyd Mr. Nashville Sound 1937-
Hofner, Adolph King South Texas Swing; 1916-2000
the Bing Crosby of Country Music
Horton, Johnny the Singing Fisherman 1925-1960
Howard, Harlan Dean of Country Music Writers
harlanhoward.com 1927-2002
Jackson, Wanda Queen of Rockabilly; wandajackson.com
1937-
First Lady of Rockabilly
James, Sonny the Southern Gentleman sonnyjames.com
1929-
Jefferies, Herb the Bronze Buckaroo herbjeffries.com
1911-
Jones, George the Possum georgejones.com
1931-
Kincaid, Bradley the Kentucky Mountain Boy
1895-1989
Macon, Uncle Dave the Dixie Dewdrop 1870-1952
Martin, Jimmy King of Bluegrass kingofbluegrass.com
1927-2005
McBride, Laura Lee Owens Queen of Western
Swing 1920-1989
McReynolds, Jesse Mr. Mandolin jimandjesse.com
1929-
Monroe, Bill Father of Bluegrass billmonroefoundation.com
1911-1996
Montana, Patsy the Cowboy’s Sweetheart
patsymontana.net 1914-1996
Mullican, Aubrey “Moon” King
of the Hillbilly Piano 1909-1967
Parsons, Gram Father of Country-Rock gramparsons.com
1946-1973
Penny, Hank King of Hillbilly Bebop 1918-1992
Perkins, Carl King of Rockabilly carlperkinscenter.org
1932-1998
Poole, Charlie Patron Saint of Country Music
charlie-poole.com 1892-1931
Price, Ray the Cherokee Cowboy raypricefanclub.net
1926-
Rich, Charlie the Silver Fox 1932-1995
Rodgers, Jimmie Father of Country Music jimmierodgers.com
1897-1933
the Singing Brakeman; America’s Blue Yodeler
Rogers, Roy King of the Cowboysroyrogers.com
1911-1998
Shay, Dorothy the Park Avenue Hillbillie
1921-1978
Smith, Sammi Girl Hero 1943-2005
Snow, Hank the Singing Ranger hanksnow.com
1914-1999
Stanley, Ralph King of Mountain Soul ralphstanley.net
1927-
Thompson, Hank King of Honk Tonk Swing hankthompson.com
1925-
Tubbs, Ernest the Texas Troubadour 1914-1984
Vincent, Rhonda Queen of Bluegrass rhondavincent.net
1962-
Wagoner, Porter Thin Man From the West Plains
porterwagoner.com 1927-
Walser, Don Pavarotti of the Plains donwalser.com
1934-2006
Wells, Kitty Queen of Country Musickittywells.com
1919-
Wheeler, Kay Queen of Rock-n-Bop kaywheeler.com
1938-
Williams, Don the Gentle Giant don-williams.com
1939-
Williams, Jr., Hank Bocephus hankjr.com 1949-
Williams, Sr., Hank the Father of Modern
Country Music 1923-1953
Wills, Bob King of Western Swing bobwills.com
1905-1975
Winters, Don the Yodeling King 1929-2002
Wynette, Tammy First Lady of Country Music
tammywynette.com 1942-199
Young, Faron the Singing Sheriff; the Hillbilly
Heart-throb 1932-1996
DISCO
Casey, Harry “KC” King of Disco
1955-
Macrae, George King of Disco Soul georgemacrae.com
1944-
Summer, Donna Queen of Disco donnasummer.com
1948-
GOSPEL
Caesar, Shirley First Lady of Gospel Musicshirleycaesar.com
1938-
Cleveland, James King of Gospel JCchorus.com
1931-1991
Collins, Lyn the Female Preacher 1948-2005
Dorsey, Thomas A. Father of Black Gospel
Music 1899-1993
Jackson, Mahalia Queen of Gospel mahaliajackson.com
1912-1972
Winnan, Vickie the Joy Princess of Gospel
?
GRUNGE
Cobain, Kurt King of Grunge cobain.com 1967-1994
Love, Courtney Queen of Grunge courtneylove.com
1964-
Young, Neil Godfather of Grunge neilyoung.com
1945-
JAZZ (Bebop, Big Band, Dixieland,
Swing)
Armstrong, Louis “Satchmo” Father
of Jazz Satchmo.net 1901-1971
Basie, William the Count countbasie.com 1904-1984
Beeks, Clarence King of Pleasure 1922-1982
Calloway, Cab the King of Hi-De-Ho cabcallowayLLC.com
1907-1994
Carter, Betty Betty Bebop 1929-1998
Davis, Miles the Picasso of Jazz milesdavis.com
1926-1991
Dorsey, Tommy Sentimental Gentleman of Swing
1905-1956
Dupont, Ann the Female Artie Shaw; Queen
of the Clarinet 1915-
Ellington, Duke the Duke dukeellington.com
1899-1974
Esquivel, Juan Garcia the Duke Ellington
of Mexico; 1918-2002
the Busby Berkley of Cocktail Music
Fitzgerald, Ella Queen of Jazz; ellafitgerald.com
1917-1996
First Lady of Song
Fountain, Pete King of Dixieland petefountain.com
1930-
Getz, Stan the Sound 1927-1991
Gillespie, John “Dizzy” the Clown
Prince of Bebop 1917-1993
Goodman, Benny King of Swing bennygoodman.com
1909-1986
Grant, Kelli Queen of Swing kelligrant.com
?
Hampton, Lionel King of the Vibes 1908-2002
Hawkins, Coleman “Hawk” Father
of the Tenor Sax 1904-1969
Hendricks, Jon Poet Laureate of Jazz 1921-
Hinton, Milt “the Judge” Dean
of Jazz Bassists milthinton.com 1910-2000
Holiday, Billy Lady Day cmgww.com/music/holiday
1915-1959
Jefferson, Eddie Godfather of Vocalese 1918-1979
Johnson, James P. the Father of Stride Piano
jamespjohnson.com 1894-1955
Ketchens, Doreen Queen Clarinet doreensjazz.com
?
Lang, Eddie Father of Jazz Guitar eddielang.com
1902-1933
Lucas, Nick the Crooning Troubadour; nicklucas.com
1897-1982
the Grandfather of Jazz Guitar
McCall, Azure Hawaii’s Empress of Jazz
?
Mingus, Charles the Angry Man of Jazz mingusmingusmingus.com
1922-1979
Monk, Thelonious the High Priest of Bop monkzone.com
1917-1982
Parker, Charlie Yardbird/Bird cmgww.com 1920-1955
Paul, Les Father of the Electric Guitar lespaulonline.com
1915-
Quinichette, Paul Vice Prez 1916-1983
Redman, Joshua Crown Prince of the Tenor
Saxophone 1969-
Rich, Bernard “Buddy” the World’s
Greatest Drummer; buddyrich.com 1921-1987
Traps the Drum Wonder
Russell, Charles “Pee Wee” the
Clown Prince of Jazz Clarinet 1906-1969
Scales, Ricardo the Black Liberace ?
Shaw, Artie King of Clarinet 1910-2004
Sinatra, Frank the Chairman of the Board
franksinatra.com 1915-1998
Snow, Valaida the Female Louis Armstrong;
Queen of Trumpet and Song 1905-1956
Torme, Mel the Velvet Fog 1925-1999
Trumbauer, Frank the Grandfather of Jazz
Saxophone 1901-1956
Vaughan, Sarah the Divine One 1924-1990
Waller, Thomas “Fats” the Clown
Prince of Jazz 1904-1943
Ward, Helen Queen of Big Band Swing 1913-1998
Washington, Dinah Queen of the Jukeboxes
1924-1963
Whiteman, Paul the King of Jazz 1890-1967
Williams, Mary Lou Empress of Jazz Piano
marylouwilliamsfoundation.org 1910-1981
Yankee, Pat the White Queen of Jazz patyankeejazz.com
1929-
Young, Lester Prez 1909-1959
LATINO
Baretto, Ray King of Hard Hands 1929-2006
Belafonte, Harry King of Calypso 1927-
Carrasco, Joe “King” King of
Tex-Mex Rock & Roll joeking.com ?
Cruz, Celia Queen of Salsa 1925-2003
Cugat, Xavier King of the Rhumba xaviercugat.com
1900-1990
Fender, Freddy King of Tex Mex freddyfender.com
1937-2006
Fernandez, Vicente King of Ranchera 1940-
Francisco, Slinger Calypso King of the World
mightysparrow.com 1935-
Gardel, Carlos King of Tango gardelweb.com
1890-1935
Jimenez, Flaco King of Conjunto flacojimenez.com
1939-
Jobim, Antonio Carlos Father of the Bossa
Nova 1927-1994
Lopez, Isidro Father of Tejano 1929-2004
Lopez, Israel “Cachao” Father
of Mambo 1918-
Lopez, Juan the King of the Redova 1922-
Martin, Ricky King of Latin Pop rickymartin.com
1971-
Martinez, Narciso Father of Conjunto Music;
the Hurricane of the Valley 1911-1992
Mendoza, Lydia Meadowlark of the Borderlands;
Songstress of the Poor 1916-
Navaira, Emilio King of Tejano emilioyrio.net
1962-
Prado, Perez King of Mambo; Mambo King 1916-1989
Puente, Tito King of Latin Music; King of
the Timbales 1923-2000
Selena Queen of Tejano 1971-1995
Villa, Beto Father of Tejano Orchestra Music;
1915-
the Lawrence Welk of Mexico
POPULAR MUSIC (entertainers,
stylists)
Cantor, Eddie the Apostle of Pep eddiecantor.com
1892-1964
Chenier, Clifton King of Zydeco 1925-1987
Davis, Jr., Sammy Mr. Entertainment sammydavis-jr.com
1925-1990
Eckstine, Billy the Sepia Sinatra billyeckstine.com
1914-1993
Gore, Lesley the Princess of Song lesleygore.com
1946-
Hirt, Al King of the Trumpet 1922-1999
Ho, Don the King of Waikiki donho.com 1930-2007
Hubbard, Rick King of Kazoo kazzoobie.com
?
Humperdinck, Engelbert the King of Romance
engelbert.com 1936-
Jackson, Michael King of Pop michaeljackson.com
1959-
Jolson, Al America’s Greatest Entertainer
jolson.org 1886-1950
Laine, Frankie Mr. Rhythm frankielaine.com
1913-2007
Liberace Mr. Showmanship Liberace.org 1919-1987
Madonna Queen of Pop madonna.com 1958-
Mantovani, Annuzio Paolo King of Light Orchestra
Music mantovani-orchestra.com 1905-1980
Newton, Wayne the Midnight Idol; waynenewton.com
1942-
King of the Strip; Mr. Las Vegas
Pickett, Bobby “Boris” the Guy
Lombardo of Halloween themonstermash.com 1938-2007
Welk, Lawrence King of Champagne Music 1903-1992
Williams, Andy the Emperor of Ease andywilliams.com
1927-
Wilson, Jackie Mr. Excitement 1934-1984
Yankovic, Frankie American’s Polka
King polkas.com/yankovic 1915-1998
PUNK
Pop, Iggy Godfather of Punk iggypop.com 1947-
Ramone, Joey the King/Father of Punk joeyramone.com
1951-2001
Smith, Patti Grand/Godmother of Punk; Punk
Rock’s Poet Laureate 1946-
RAP/HIP HOP
Blow, Kurtis the Original King of Rap 1959-
Campbell, Clive D.J. Kool Herc; Father of
Hip-Hop; 1967-
Father of the Breakbeat
Simmons, Russell Godfather of Rap 1957-
REGGAE
Brown, Dennis Crown Prince of Reggae 1957-1999
Griffiths, Marcia Empress of Reggae marciagriffiths.net
1949-
Marley, Bob King of Reggae bobmarley.com
1945-1981
Marley, Queen Queen of Reggae ritamarleyfoundation.org
1946-
RHYTHM & BLUES (Soul, Funk)
Blige, Mary J. Queen of Hip-Hop Soul mjblige.com
1971-
Brown, Chuck Godfather of Go-Go windmeupchuck.com
1934-
Brown, James Godfather of Soul godfatherofsoul.com
1933-2006
Brown, Ruth Queen of Rhythm & Blues;
ruthbrown.net 1928-2006
Miss Rhythm missrhythm.com
Burke, Solomon King of Rock and Soul solomonburke.com
1940-
Charles, Ray the Genius raycharles.com 1930-2004
Clinton, George Godfather of Funk georgeclinton.com
1940-
Cochran, Wayne the White James Brown; waynechochranandtheCCriders.com1939-
Franklin, Aretha Queen of Soul aretha-franklin.com
1942-
Hayes, Isaac the Black Moses isaachayes.com
1942-
Jackson, Ben Bull Moose bullmoosejackson.com
1919-1988
James, Rick King of Punk-Funk rickjames.com
1948-2004
Jordan, Louis Father of Rhythm and Blues
louisjordan.com 1908-1975
King of Jump Blues
Laine, Frankie Mr. Rhythm frankielaine.com
1913-2007
McNeeley, Big Jay King of the Honkers; myspace.com/bigjaymcneeley
1927-
Deacon of the Tenor Sax
Modeliste, Joseph “Zigaboo” King
of the Funky Drums zigaboo.com 1948-
Redding, Otis King of Soul otisredding.com
1941-1967
Simone, Nina High Priestess of Soul ninasimone.com
1933-2003
Sledge, Percy the Golden Voice of Soul; percysledge.com
1940-
King of Slow Soul
Springfield, Dusty White Queen of Soul; dustyspringfield.co.uk
1939-1999
White Lady of Soul
Taylor, Johnnie Philosopher of Soul johnnietaylor.net
1937-2000
Thomas, Carla Queen of Memphis Soul 1942-
Thomas, Rufus the World’s Oldest Teenager
1917-2001
White, Barry the Maestro 1944-2003
White, Miss Lavelle Queen of the Soul and
Blues misslavelle.com 1929-
Willis, Chuck King of the Stroll 1928-1958
ROCK & ROLL
Bowie, David Thin White Duke davidbowie.com
1947-
Burke, Solomon King of Rock and Soul solomonburke.com
1940-
Byrd, Henry Roeland Professor Longhair; the
Bach of Rock & Roll; 1918-1980
Carrasco, Joe “King” King of
Tex-Mex Rock & Roll joeking.com ?
Checker, Chubby King of the Twist chubbychecker.com
1941-
Clapton, Eric Slowhand ericclapton.com 1945-
Dale, Dick King of Surf Guitar dickdale.com
1937-
Dion King of the New York Streets diondimucci.com
1939-
Entwistle, John the Ox johnentwistle.com
1944-2002
Freed, Alan King of the Moondoggers alanfreed.com
1921-1965
Haley, Bill Original King of Rock & Roll
billhaley.co.uk 1925-1981
Hawkins, Ronnie Mr. Dynamo ronniehawkins.com
1935-
Hawkins, Screamin’ Jay the Black Vincent
Price 1929-2000
Jackson, Cordell the Rockin’ Granny;
Guitar Granny cordelljackson.com 1923-2004
Lewis, Jerry Lee the Killer jerryleelewis.com
1935-
Lopez, Robert the Mexican Elvis Elves.com
1960-
Marshall, Chan “Cat Power” Queen
of Slowcore/Sadcore catpowerthegreatest.com 1972-
Martin, Janis the Female Elvis Presley 1940-
Nugent, Ted Motor City Mad Man tednugent.com
1948-
Orbison, Roy the Caruso of Rock royorbison.com
1936-1988
Osborne, Ozzy Father of Heavy Metal ozzy.com
1948-
Palmer, Robert the James Bond of Boogie robertpalmer.com
1949-2003
Parsons, Gram Father of Country-Rock gramparsons.com
1946-1973
Penniman, “Little Richard” the
Architect of Rock and Roll littlerichard.com 1932-
Peterson, Ray the Golden Voice of Rock &
Roll 1939-2005
Presley, Elvis King of Rock & Roll elvis.com
1932-1977
Richardson, Jiles “JP” Perry
the Big Bopper officalbigbopper.com 1930-1959
Springsteen, Bruce the Boss brucespringsteen.net
1949-
Turner, Tina Queen of Rock & Roll officialtina.com
1939-
Vinton, Bobby the Polish Prince bobbyvinton.com
1935-
Wheeler, Kay Queen of Rock-n-Bop kaywheeler.com
?
Wray, Link Father of the Power Chord linkwraylegend.com
1929-2005
II. INSTRUMENTALISTS
BRASS
Bell, William J. Dean of American Tuba Players
1902-1971
Fillmore, Henry Father of the Trombone Smear
1881-1956
Hicker, Ed the Trombone Ace ?
Hirt, Al King of the Trumpet 1922-1999
Pryor, Arthur Paganini of the Trombone paragonragtime.com/pryor
1870-1942
Snow, Valaida Queen of Trumpet and Song;
the Female Louis Armstrong 1905-1956
GUITAR
Atkins, Chet Mr. Guitar misterguitar.com
1924-2001
Byrd, Jerry Godfather of Modern Steel Guitar
1920-2005
Collins, Albert “The Iceman”
Master of the Telecaster 1932-1993
Dale, Dick King of Surf Guitar dickdale.com
1937-
Jackson, Cordell Guitar Granny; Rockin’
Granny cordelljackson.com 1923-2004
James, Elmore Father/King of the Slide Guitar
1915-1963
Lang, Eddie Father of Jazz Guitar eddielang.com
1902-1933
Ledbetter, Huddie “Lead Belly”
King of the 12 String Guitar leadbelly.org 1888-1949
Lucas, Nick the Grandfather of Jazz Guitar;
nicklucas.com 1897-1982
the Crooning Troubadour
Pahinui, Gabby King of Slack Key 1921-1980
Paul, Les the Father of the Electric Guitar
lespaulonline.com 1915-
Woodbridge, Hudson “Tampa Red”
the Guitar Wizard 1904-1981
Wray, Link Father of the Power Chord linkwraylegend.com
1929-2005
HARMONICA
Walter, Little King of Blues Harmonica littlewalter.net
1930-1968
PERCUSSION
Baretto, Ray King of Hard Hands 1929-2006
Hampton, Lionel King of the Vibes 1908-2002
Hubbard, Rick King of Kazoo kazzoobie.com
?
Puente, Tito King of the Timbales; King of
Latin Music 1923-2000
Modeliste, Joseph “Zigaboo” King
of the Funky Drums zigaboo.com 1948-
PIANO/ORGAN
Ball, Maricia Queen of Boogie Piano 1949-
DeWitt, Wendy Queen of Boogie-Woogie Piano
wendydewitt.com ?
Johnson, James P. the Father of Stride Piano
jamespjohnson.org 1894-1955
Merriweather, Big Maceo King of Chicago Blues
Piano 1905-1953
Mullican, Aubrey “Moon” King
of the Hillbilly piano 1909-1967
Smith, Ethel First Lady of the Hammond Organ
1911-1996
Smith, Jimmy King/Emperor of the Hammond
B-3 Organ 1928-2005
Williams, Mary Lou Empress of Jazz Piano
marylouwilliamsfoundation.org 1910-1981
STEEL GUITAR
Anderson, Maurice Chord King 1934-
Byrd, Jerry Godfather of Modern Steel Guitar
1920-2005
Day, Jimmy Mr. Country Soul 1934-1999
Emmons, Buddy World’s Foremost Steel
Guitarist buddyemmons.com 1937-
Garrett, Bobby the King of Thumb Style 1935-1999
Green, Lloyd Mr. Nashville Sound 1937-
Rey, Alvino Father of the Pedal Steel Guitar
1908-2004
West, Wesley Webb “Speedy” Steel’s
Most Foremost Showman 1924-2003
STRINGS (OTHER)
Burns, Jethro Worlds’ Greatest Mandolin
Player 1920-1989
Gimble, Johnny King of the Swing Fiddle johnnygimble.com
1925-
Hinton, Milt “the Judge” Dean
of Jazz Bassists milthinton.com 1910-2000
McReynolds, Jesse Mr. Mandolin jimandjesse.com
1929-
Shaw, Ralph King of the Ukulele ralphshaw.ca
1932-
WOODWINDS
Barrere, Georges Monarch of the Flute 1876-1944
Cannon, Ace Godfather of the Sax acecannon.com
1934-
Dupont, Ann Queen of the Clarinet; the Female
Artie Shaw 1915-
Hawkins, Coleman “Hawk” Father
of the Tenor Sax 1904-1969
Henton, H. Benne Saxophone Prince 1867-1938
Ketchens, Doreen Queen Clarinet doreensjazz.com
?
Lefebre, E.A. Saxophone King ?
McNeeley, Big Jay Deacon of the Tenor Sax;
King of the Honkers 1927-
myspace.com/bigjaymcneeley
Puente, Tito King of the Timbales;1923-2000
Redman, Joshua Crown Prince of the Tenor
Saxophone 1969-
Russell, Charles “Pee Wee” the
Clown Prince of Jazz Clarinet 1906-1969
Shaw, Artie King of Clarinet 1910-2004
Trumbauer, Frank the Grandfather of Jazz
Saxophone 1901-1956
III. EARLY COMPOSERS/PERFORMERS
Bland, James A. the Black Stephen Foster
1854-1911
Butler, Helen May the Female Sousa 1898-1937
Fillmore, Henry Father of the Trombone Smear
1881-1956
Foster, Stephen America’s Minstrel
Stephen-foster-songs.com 1826-1864
Gilmore, Patrick Father of the Concert Band
psgilmore-society.org 1829-1892
Gottschalk, Louis Moreau the Father of Ragtime
louismoreaugottschalk.com 1829-1869
Haydn, Joseph Father of the Symphony 1732-1809
Joplin, Scott King of Ragtime scottjoplin.org
1868-1917
Rice, Thomas Dartmouth Father of American
Minstrelsy 1808-1860
Sousa, John Philip the March King dws.org/sousa
1854-1932
Strauss, Johann the Waltz King 1825-1899
Thomas, Theodore Father of American Orchestras
1835-1905
IV. GROUPINGS
COUNTERPARTS
Bland, James A. the Black Stephen Foster
1854-1911
Bush, Johnny the Country Caruso johnnybush.com
1935-
Butler, Helen May the Female Sousa 1898-1937
Byrd, Henry Roeland the Bach of Rock &
Roll; Professor Longhair 1918-1980
Cochran, Wayne the White James Brown;waynechochranandtheCCriders.com
1939-
Cox, Ida the Sepia Mae West 1890-1967
Davis, Miles the Picasso of Jazz milesdavis.com
1926-1991
Dupont, Ann the Female Artie Shaw; Queen
of the Clarinet 1915-
Eckstine, Billy the Sepia Sinatra billyeckstine.com
1914-1993
Esquivel, Juan Garcia the Duke Ellington
of Mexico; 1918-2002
the Busby Berkley of Cocktail Music
Hawkins, Screamin’ Jay the Black Vincent
Price 1929-2000
Hayes, Isaac the Black Moses isaachayes.com
1942-
Hofner, Adolph the Bing Crosby of Country
Music; 1916-2000
King South Texas Swing
Lopez, Robert the Mexican Elvis Elves.com
1960-
Martin, Janis the Female Elvis Presley 1940-
Orbison, Roy the Caruso of Rock royorbison.com
1936-1988
Palmer, Robert the James Bond of Boogie robertpalmer.com
1949-2003
Pickett, Bobby “Boris” the Guy
Lombardo of Halloween themonstermash.com 1938-2007
Pryor, Arthur Paganini of the Trombone paragonragtime.com/pryor
1870-1942
Scales, Ricardo the Black Liberace ?
Snow, Valaida the Female Louis Armstrong;
Queen of Trumpet and Song 1905-1956
Springfield, Dusty White Queen of Soul; dustyspringfield.co.uk
1939-1999
White Lady of Soul
Villa, Beto the Lawrence Welk of Mexico;
1915-
Father of Tejano Orchestra Music
Walser, Don Pavarotti of the Plains donwalser.com
1934-2006
Yankee, Pat the White Queen of Jazz patyankeejazz.com
1929-
ANIMALS
Ace, Buddy the Silver Fox of the Blues 1936-1994
Adams, Johnny the Tan Canary 1932-1998
Entwistle, John the Ox johnentwistle.com
1944-2002
Hawkins, Coleman Hawk 1904-1969
Jackson, Ben Bull Moose bullmoosejackson.com
1919-1988
Jones, George the Possum georgejones.com
1931-
Mendoza, Lydia Meadowlark of the Borderlands
1916-
Parker, Charlie Yardbird/Bird cmgww.com 1920-1955
Rich, Charlie the Silver Fox 1932-1995
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