Josh White

Blues Singer

Birthday February 11, 1914

Birth Sign Aquarius

Birthplace Greenville, SC

DEATH DATE Sep 5, 1969 (55)

#51632 Most Popular

About

Also known as Pinewood Tom and Tippy Barton. He was the first black singer-guitarist to have featured roles in Hollywood and Broadway.

Before Fame

He sang in his local church's choir at a young age. He helped introduce largely white audiences to folk-blues music.

Trivia

He was featured on a set of four thirty-two-cent U.S. commemorative postage stamps in the Legends of American Music series, which was issued in 1998.

Family Life

He married Carol Carr in 1933.

Associated With

He was Franklin D. Roosevelt's confidant during his presidency, and in 1941, he was the first black singer to give a White House Command Performance.