Robert Petway first recorded “Catfish Blues”, covered by Muddy, Hendrix, Gov’t Mule, et al, and then disappeared. No later recordings were ever found.

The frantic 1977 smash hit “Black Betty” by Ram Jam was a cover of a Leadbelly prison work song — the bluesman told John Lomax the “BAMBALAM” simulated the prisoner’s axes hitting trees, and Black Betty was the foreman’s whip (or maybe the prison wagon).

More Trivia 🎸

Featured Articles 🎸

Featured Products

Just in !