Steve Power, Author at

Independent Historian

Based in Austin, Texas, Steve Power is a professional singer-songwriter and musician. Power has been entertaining since his childhood in California where he sang duets with his mother for tips in San Diego restaurants. Since then he has: crisscrossed the United States, hitching from coast to coast and border to border; played harmonica with John Lee Hooker; sung with Joe Cocker; stood as onstage bodyguard to Little Richard; shared the stage with Jesse “Guitar” Taylor, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Bobby Mack, and Pinetop Perkins; was named U.R.D.A. Musician of the Year; released three albums and two EPs of critically acclaimed original material; received written praise from Elwood Blues; performed from brothels to stadiums on two continents; wrote interviews for David Crosby, Bill Wyman and Tom Jones; survived attempted shootings, car wrecks and various governments; and has told more stories than Schehherazade, never once letting the truth get in the way.

Chuck Berry (1926-2017)

Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Charles Edward Anderson “Chuck” Berry was considered a pioneer of rock and roll and a major influence on 20th century popular music. His songs such as “Johnny B. Goode” and “Roll Over Beethoven” are rock and roll standards. Chuck Berry was … Read MoreChuck Berry (1926-2017)

Tommy Johnson (1896-1956)

Tommy Johnson is one of the most exemplary of all the Delta bluesmen. Though he recorded only fourteen titles between 1928 and 1930, almost all of these compositions became classics: for example “Big Road Blues,” “Cool Drink of Water,” and “Slidin’ Delta.” One of them, … Read MoreTommy Johnson (1896-1956)

Charley Patton (1891-1934)

Charley Patton, born in Hinds County, Mississippi near the town of Edwards, is by consensus the Father of Delta blues and one of the most important American musicians of the 20th century. Legendary bluesmen Son House, Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, … Read MoreCharley Patton (1891-1934)

John Adam “Sleepy” Estes (1904-1977)

John Adam “Sleepy” Estes, born into a sharecropping family just outside of Ripley, Tennessee but raised in Brownsville, was a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and generally recognized as one of the most important artists in blues history. He got the nickname “Sleepy” from his frequent naps. … Read MoreJohn Adam “Sleepy” Estes (1904-1977)

Joseph William “Pinetop” Perkins (1913–2011)

Image Courtesy of Carl Lender (CC BY-SA 2.0) Delta blues and boogie-woogie piano master Willie “Pinetop” Perkins was born on the Honey Island plantation near Belzoni, Mississippi on July 7, 1913. During his career, Perkins played with some of the best known blues and rock … Read MoreJoseph William “Pinetop” Perkins (1913–2011)