Fred McDowell

1904–1972 (age 68)

Musician

Biography

Fred McDowell, born in 1904, carried the Delta in every string he bent, teaching generations how slide guitar could cradle heartbreak and joy in the same breath.

His field recordings and late-night gatherings left an open invitation for other musicians to build on his sound, and his final resting place at Hammond Hill M. B. Church Cemetery honors a life deeply rooted in the blues.

Did you know Fred McDowell?

Help us tell their story. Share a memory, upload a gravestone photo, or correct any details.