Henry "Rufe" Johnson

Henry "Rufe" Johnson (October 2, 1908 – February 4, 1974), was an American Piedmont blues guitarist, harmonica player, pianist, banjo player, singer and songwriter. On occasion he played slide guitar with a pocket knife. He finally found a larger audience with his 1973 album, The Union County Flash! His fame was short-lived, as he died months after its release.

Life and career Johnson was born in the small settlement of Bogansville, near to the towns of Union and Jonesville, South Carolina. taught Johnson the rudiments of guitar playing, and he was further instructed by his cousin Thelmon Johnson.

In 1952, he moved from working on a farm to a hospital job, while also making a gradual transition to playing more secular material, on a part-time basis. Discovered by blues historians, Johnson started to give solo concerts, performed on the radio, and joined up musically with his childhood friend Peg Leg Sam.

Following recording sessions in November and December 1972, his album The Union County Flash! was issued by Trix Records in 1973. He also provided guitar and vocals, along with Baby Tate, for a couple of tracks on Peg Leg Sam's album Medicine Show Man, released in the same year.