Biography of Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup

Although a major contributor to American music history, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup remains in relative obscurity, known more as a name associated with Elvis Presley than as a blues recording artist whose voice and songs are familiar. Presley, early in his career, credited Crudup with being a model. Asserting the juke-joint roots of his own style, Elvis claimed that if he could "feel" what Crudup felt, he'd have it made.Crudup saw several of his songs transcend blues tradition and have an impact on pop music. These include "That's All Right Mama" and "Rock Me Mama," the first a hit for Elvis, the second a standard associated with B. B. King.Crudup's recorded legacy shows an unusual consistency and dependence on tradition. A limited guitarist who learned to play late in life, he stuck with the key of E, reworking the same basic guitar figures time and again. His voice was high-pitched, keening, and strong enough to cut through to his juke-joint listeners. Above all else, he was a songwriter with a gift for reworking traditional poetry into memorable songs. His best works have become staples for blues players past and present. ~ Barry Lee Pearson