Happy Birthday Huddie ‘Lead Belly’ Ledbetter

Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration

Happy birthday to famed Louisiana-born bluesman Huddie ‘Lead Belly’ Ledbetter, who was born on this day in 1889.

Remembered today as ‘The King Of The 12-String Guitar’ blues players, during WWII, Lead Belly wrote several songs in his own unique personal style encouraging support to both the Allied war effort and President Roosevelt while at the same time decrying the actions and leadership of the Axis Powers.

Click below to hear one of Lead Belly’s best WWII-themed songs, ‘Mr. Hitler’, better known as ‘We’re Gonna Tear Hitler Down.’

This post by Collin Makamson, Family Programs & Outreach Coordinator @ The National WWII Museum