Date of Birth: October 24, 1911
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: March 11, 1986
Biography
Saunders Terrell, better known as Sonny Terry, was an iconic American blues musician born on October 24, 1911, in Greensboro, Georgia. He is best remembered for his exceptional skills on the harmonica and his energetic performances. Terry’s innovative style and emotional depth made him a pivotal figure in the blues genre. He was partially blinded in a farming accident during his youth, which led him to focus on music as a means of livelihood. Sonny Terry’s career took off in the late 1930s when he began collaborating with Brownie McGhee, another influential blues artist. The duo became famous for their electrifying performances and recorded extensively together, leaving an indelible mark on the blues and folk music scenes. Terry’s harmonica playing was characterized by its wailing, high-pitched sound, which conveyed a wide range of emotions, from joy to deep sorrow. Terry also performed with other notable musicians, including Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly, and played a significant role in popularizing blues music among broader audiences, including during the folk revival of the 1960s. He passed away on March 11, 1986, but his legacy lives on through his recordings and the many musicians he influenced.
5 Interesting Facts about Sonny Terry
1. Sonny Terry was partially blinded in a farming accident as a child, which led him to pursue music.
2. Terry collaborated with Brownie McGhee for over 40 years, forming one of the most famous duos in blues history.
3. He performed at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues, bringing blues music to new audiences.
4. Terry appeared in the Broadway production of “Finian’s Rainbow” in the late 1940s.
5. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1986, the same year he passed away.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sonny Terry
1. “The harmonica is my voice. It talks for me when words can’t express how I feel.”
2. “Blues is a feeling; you have to live it to play it.”
3. “Music is a way of life. It’s a universal language that connects us all.”
4. “When I play the harmonica, I feel like I’m telling a story.”
5. “The blues ain’t nothing but a good man feeling bad.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Sonny Terry was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Sonny Terry did not have any known children.
Relevant Links
1. [AllMusic Biography](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sonny-terry-mn0000031690/biography
2. [Blues Hall of Fame](https://blues.org/blues_hof_inductee/sonny-terry/
3. [Wikipedia – Sonny Terry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Terry
4. [Discogs – Sonny Terry](https://www.discogs.com/artist/282695-Sonny-Terry
5. [Find a Grave](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6700/sonny-terry
