Elmore James Birthplace — Richland, Mississippi

Elmore James was born on January 27, 1918, near Richland in Rankin County, Mississippi, and became the defining electric slide guitarist of the post-war blues era — his ringing, overdriven bottleneck sound is one of the most recognisable tones in the history of the electric guitar. His 1951 recording of 'Dust My Broom' — an amplified, electrified transformation of Robert Johnson's original — was one of the first modern electric blues records, and its opening guitar lick has been quoted by blues musicians ever since. It launched the Chess Records era of electric Delta blues.

James grew up in the Canton area of Mississippi, north of Richland, and absorbed the Delta blues tradition directly — he knew Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and the other figures of the pre-war era. He moved between Mississippi, Chicago, and New York throughout his career, recording for Trumpet and Fire/Fury labels and leading bands that at various times included Little Walter and other major figures. His songs — 'The Sky Is Crying,' 'It Hurts Me Too,' 'Done Somebody Wrong' — have been covered hundreds of times.

Richland is a suburb of Jackson in Rankin County. A Mississippi Blues Trail marker acknowledges Elmore James's birth in the area. He died of a heart attack in Chicago in 1963 at the age of 45, before the blues revival could bring him the recognition he deserved. His influence on rock guitar — through Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, and many others — is incalculable.