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Clifford Gibson

1901 – 1963

American blues singer and guitarist

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About Clifford Gibson

Lived 1901 – 1963 (aged 62). Clifford Gibson was an American songwriter.

Clifford "Grandpappy" Gibson (April 17, 1901 – December 21, 1963) was an American blues singer and guitarist. He is best known for the tracks, "Bad Luck Dice" and "Hard Headed Blues". He played in St. Louis clubs, and in 1929 began recording for the QRS and Victor labels. He is regarded as one of the earliest urban blues performers, with no pronounced rural influences. His guitar playing style resembled that of Lonnie Johnson, Among the many themes touched on in his songs, "Don't Put That Thing on Me" is notable for its references to hoodoo, an African American form of folk magic.

Gibson accompanied Jimmie Rodgers on a Victor single, "Let Me Be Your Side Track", in 1931, then spent parts of the next three decades playing in the streets around St. Louis. Gibson resurfaced on recordings in 1960 on Little Milton's Bobbin label, and worked another three years in St. Louis' Gaslight Square, before his death from pulmonary edema in 1963.

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Important facts

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People in Clifford Gibson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Clifford Gibson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Clifford Gibson?

American blues singer and guitarist (1901–1963)

When was Clifford Gibson born?

Clifford Gibson was born on 17 April 1901 in Louisville.

When did Clifford Gibson die?

Clifford Gibson died on 21 December 1963.

What was Clifford Gibson's occupation?

Clifford Gibson was a songwriter.

What nationality was Clifford Gibson?

Clifford Gibson was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Clifford Gibson

· Wikidata: Q867978

· DBpedia: Clifford Gibson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Clifford Gibson. https://biography.guide/clifford-gibson/

MLA: "Clifford Gibson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/clifford-gibson/.

Chicago: "Clifford Gibson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/clifford-gibson/.

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