There are two harmonica playing bluesmen known as Sonny Boy Williamson. They are colloquially referred to as Sonny Boy Williamson I and Sonny Boy Williamson II respectively, but are of no relation. The two are easy to distinguish. Williamson I played the harmonica acoustically and was essentially a pre-War artist. ...show more

There are two harmonica playing bluesmen known as Sonny Boy Williamson. They are colloquially referred to as Sonny Boy Williamson I and Sonny Boy Williamson II respectively, but are of no relation. The two are easy to distinguish. Williamson I played the harmonica acoustically and was essentially a pre-War artist.

Williamson II was entirely an electrified harpist, in the style of Little Walter, reflecting the advent of the jukebox and electrified instruments following World War II. (Compare the albums Sonny Boy Williamson I ~~ Sonny Boy Williamson II) -------------------------------------------- Sonny Boy Williamson I (30 March 1914 - 1 June 1948) also known as John Lee Curtis Williamson, was an American blues harmonica player, born in Jackson, Tennessee, whose first record Good Morning Little School Girl was a hit in 1937. He was widely popular throughout the whole southeast of the U.S., and was practically synonymous with the blues harmonica for the next decade, making his a commonly used stage name by the time he was murdered in 1948. He is buried at the Old Blairs Chapel Church, south west of Jackson, Tennessee.

more on wikipedia -------------------------------------------- Sonny Boy Williamson II (11 March 1908 - 25 May 1965) also known as Willie Williamson, willie miller, Little Boy Blue, The Goat and Footsie. Aleck "Rice" Miller was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter. Born as Aleck Ford to Millie Ford on the Sara Jones Plantation in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, his date and year of birth are a matter of uncertainty. He claimed to have been born on December 5, 1899, but one researcher, David Evans, claims to have found census record evidence that he was born around 1912. ...show less