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 The only one known picture of Blind Lemon Jefferson you can see here is retouched, with a fake tie painted in by hand.
Jefferson was one of Alex Jefferson and Classie Banks seven children. Partially or has completely gone blind in the early childhood. He was engaged in music, sang on parties, in streets of small towns, snack bars and whorehouses. Conducting such life, he has grown fond of wanderings and undertook trips on significant distances, always keeping, however, connections with Texas. As well as about many other things blind musicians, about Jefferson told, that he could find the road independently and be guided in surrounding situations. He always carried with himself the weapon, and may be, even has been involved in incident with the weapon.
In 1917, Jefferson had moved to Dallas, where he is reputed to have met and played with Leadbelly. In the end 1925 or in the beginning of 1926 he has been brought in Chicago by the dealer of phonograph records from Dallas for record at Paramount Records. He recorded two gospel songs ("I Want To Be Like Jesus In My Heart" and "All I Want Is That Pure Religion") which have been released under pseudonym Reverend L.J. Bates. He released two songs then under his own name: "Booster Blues" and "Dry Southern Blues". Then he made records which have made him known among the black population of America, and even have influenced on white country musicians.
In 1927, Jefferson moved to OKeh Records and recorded his best hits "Matchbox Blues" backed with "Black Snake Moan".
Between 1926 and 1929 he had been released more than 90 records, all in "Paramount", except two. After his returning, Paramount re-recorded and released two new versions of Jefferson`s “Matchbox Blues”. This song was covered later by many musicians all over the world including Carl Perkins and The Beatles.
"See That My Grave Is Kept Clean", another classic song was recorded in 1927 with two spiritual songs "He Arose from the Dead" and "Where Shall I Be".
"See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" was covered by Bob Dylan on his first album in 1962.
Jefferson had the good vocal range perfected by participation in the diversified performances, and the complex, saturated, flexible style of a guitar playing. To illustrate Jefferson`s commercial success would be enough to say, that he could buy two cars (unprecedented luxury for the black musician on those times) on the money earned from records and even afforded to hire the driver. Spoke also, that he hired guides. Leadbelly, T-Bone Walker and Josh White approved, that in a youth executed this work for Jefferson.
Jefferson's later records have lost a little that originality and force of influence on listeners that were characteristic for his early works, however popularity of Blind Lemon Jefferson did not decrease to his death, sudden and mysterious.
According to a legend, Jefferson has frozen to death on the street in Chicago. But more probable version is that he has died due to a heart attack in his car, left by the driver - possible, during a snow storm. Now the true is hard to establish.
Jefferson's body has been transported home to Texas for burial.
Jefferson's records are still selling after his death.
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