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The original Sonny Boy Williamson was born John Lee Williamson somwhere near Jackson, Tennessee on March 30, 1914. His original harmonica recordings were considered to be in the country style, but he soon demonstrated skill at making harmonica a lead instrument for blues. He has been called "the father of modern blues harp".
John Lee's style was influential to a number of blues performers, including Billy Boy Arnold, Sonny Terry, and a young Muddy Waters.
His music was popular enough that by the 1940s, another performer, Sonny Boy Williamson II began using the name. John Lee objected to this, though no legal action took place. In 1948, John Lee was tragically killed after a mugging.
Some well-known songs of his are "Shake the Boogie" and "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl."
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