It’s no shocker that artists in many fields take on different names. In the blues world, it could be a stage name or a nickname, either given or earned, that one uses throughout his or her career.
Sometimes it made their name easier to pronounce. Others may have a name describing a physical feature or playing style. Still others do so for religious regions, or to provide some anonymity.
We’ve gathered 30 blues men and women who go by different names than those they were born with. We’re betting a few of them surprise you.
Barrelhouse Chuck
Birth name: Harvey Charles Goering 7/10/1958 – 12/12/2016
Big Bill Broonzy
Birth name: Lee Conley Bradley 6/26/1903 – 8/14/1958
Blind Boy Fuller
Birth name: Fulton Allen 7/10/1904 or 1907 – 2/13/1941
Bo Carter
Birth name: Armenter Chatmon 6/30/1893 – 9/21/1964
Bo Diddley
Birth name: Ellas Otha Bates 12/30/1928 – 6/2/2008
Bumble Bee Slim
Birth name: Admiral Amos Easton 5/7/1905 – 6/8/1968
Catfish Keith
Birth name: Keith Daniel Kozacik 2/9/1962
Guitar Slim
Birth name: Eddie Jones 12/10/1926 – 2/7/1959
Hip Linkchain
Birth name: Willie Richard 11/10/1936 – 2/13/1989
Hollywood Fats
Birth name: Michael Leonard Mann 3/17/1954 – 12/8/1986
Howlin’ Wolf
Birth name: Chester Arthur Burnett 6/10/1910 – 1/10/1976
Jelly Roll Morton
Birth name: Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe 10/20/1890 – 7/10/1941
Junior Wells
Birth name: Amos Wells Blakemore Jr. 12/9/1934 – 1/15/1998
Koko Taylor
Birth name: Cora Anna Walton 9/28/1928 – 6/3/2009
Keb’ Mo’
Birth name: Kevin Roosevelt Moore 10/3/1951
Lazy Lester
Birth name: Leslie Carswell Johnson 6/20/1933
Lead Belly
Birth name: Huddie William Ledbetter 1/20/1888 – 12/6/1949
Little Walter
Birth name: Marion Walter Jacobs 5/1/1930 – 2/15/1968
Ma Rainey
Birth name: Gertrude Pridgett 9/1882 or 4/26/1886 – 12/22/1939
Magic Slim
Birth name: Morris Holt 8/7/1937 – 12/21/2013
Maxwell Street Jimmy Davis
Birth name: Charles W. Thompson 3/2/1925 – 12/28/1995
Memphis Minnie
Birth name: Lizzie Douglas 6/3/1897 – 8/6/1973
Muddy Waters
Birth name: McKinley Morganfield 4/4/1913 – 4/30/1983
Peetie Wheatstraw
Birth name: William Bunch 12/21/1902 – 12/21/1941
Peg Leg Sam
Birth name: Arthur Jackson 12/28/1911 – 10/27/1977
Popa Chubby
Birth name: Theodore Joseph Horowitz 3/31/1960
Slim Harpo
Birth name: James Isaac Moore 1/11/1924 – 1/31/1970
Sonny Boy Williamson II
Birth name: Alex Ford 12/5/1912 – 5/24/1965
Taj Mahal
Birth name: Henry Saint Clair Fredericks 5/17/1942
Washboard Sam
Birth name: Robert Clifford Brown 7/15/1910 – 11/6/1966
What’s your favorite artist’s nickname or stage name? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
*Feature image Jay Blakesberg
