Legend of Lead Belly

Legend of Lead Belly

51 mins | Documentary, Music | Jan. 1, 2013

Huddie Ledbetter was born into poverty, battled racism, and did time, but in spite of his early hardships, or perhaps because of them, he became one of the great musicians of the 20th century. We trace the life and career of Lead Belly, a man praised by critics and revered by artists, whose unique music crossed a host of genres and influenced countless industry legends, from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin to Nirvana and beyond.

Legend of Lead Belly

51 mins | Documentary, Music | Jan. 1, 2013

Legend of Lead Belly
Huddie Ledbetter was born into poverty, battled racism, and did time, but in spite of his early hardships, or perhaps because of them, he became one of the great musicians of the 20th century. We trace the life and career of Lead Belly, a man praised by critics and revered by artists, whose unique music crossed a host of genres and influenced countless industry legends, from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin to Nirvana and beyond.
Producers Smithsonian Channel
Original title Legend of Lead Belly
Directors Alan Ravenscroft
Writers

Cast

Leadbelly

as Self / Archive Footage (as Huddie Ledbetter)

Bob Dylan

as Self