January 27, 1918 – May 24, 1963
Elmore Brooks, his real name, was born on January 27, 1918 in Richland, Holmes County, MS.
Named “King of the Slide Guitar” because of its exceptional bottleneck play.
Influenced by Robert Johnson, Kokomo Arnold and Tampa Red, and in return influenced many guitarists : blues guitarists Homesick James, Hound Dog Taylor, and J. B. Hutto, B.B. King, Chuck Berry and rock guitarists Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Brian Jones.
He died on May 24, 1963 in Chicago of a heart attack at the age of 45.
Had a son who followed in his footsteps: Elmore James Jr.