PERRY "MULE" BRADFORD

Instruments: Piano, Vocals, Producer, Songwriter
Date of Birth: February 14, 1893
Place of Birth: Montgomery, Alabama
Date of Death: April 20,1970

Perry "Mule" Bradford was responsible for the debut of Mamie Smith in 1920, the session that marked the first time a recording date featured a black blues vocalist. It was his song "Crazy Blues" that Smith recorded; it sold over a million copies and helped initiate the blues craze as well as launch an industry.

Bradford later organized other recording sessions giving pioneers like Louis Armstrong, James P. Johnson and others important exposure and opportunities.

He was a hit songwriter for much of the 1920s, with other big tunes including "That Thing Called Love," "Evil Blues," and "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down." He established his own music publishing company, becoming one of the first members of his race to do so. Five years before his death Bradford published his biography, "Born With The Blues".

*Chart position is based on Billboard Magazine Pop, Country, R&B, & A/C Charts. Other music industry charts may have shown higher chart positions.

Back to "B" Achievers