Biography
King Solomon Hill, born Joe Holmes on July 18, 1897 near McComb, Mississippi, was an enigmatic figure in early country blues. A self-taught guitarist and singer, Holmes spent much of his life traveling through Louisiana and Mississippi, performing at parties, picnics, and juke joints. His stage name was derived from the King Solomon Hill Baptist Church in the Yellow Pine community of Louisiana, where he resided for a time. Holmes's musical career reached its peak in 1932 when he recorded six sides (four songs with alternate takes) for Paramount Records in Grafton, Wisconsin, including the haunting 'Gone Dead Train' and 'Whoopee Blues.' These recordings, characterized by his eerie bottleneck guitar technique and chilling falsetto, are considered masterpieces of the genre, though only a few copies were ever pressed due to Paramount's impending bankruptcy.[1][2][3]
Holmes's style was a unique fusion of influences from his friends Sam Collins and Ramblin' Thomas, as well as elements from Blind Lemon Jefferson. His music stood out for its emotional intensity and originality, blending the regional sounds of south Mississippi and east Texas/Louisiana. Despite his brief recording career, Hill's work has been lauded for its primitive force and haunting atmosphere, making him a significant, if mysterious, figure in blues history. After his recording session, Holmes returned to performing locally, but little else is known about his later life. He reportedly struggled with heavy drinking and died of a brain hemorrhage in Sibley, Louisiana, on August 13, 1940.[1][2][3][5][7]
King Solomon Hill's legacy endures through his small but influential discography, which has inspired generations of blues musicians and enthusiasts. His recordings remain rare and highly prized, and his identity was the subject of much debate among blues scholars until confirmed by Gayle Dean Wardlow through interviews with Holmes's acquaintances. Today, Hill is remembered as one of the most original voices of early country blues, his music a testament to the rich, complex history of the American South.[2][3][7]
Fun Facts
- King Solomon Hill's stage name was derived from his address at the King Solomon Hill Baptist Church in Louisiana, not from a personal nickname.
- Only a handful of his original records were pressed due to Paramount's bankruptcy, making them extremely rare collector's items.
- His song 'Gone Dead Train' is considered a classic hobo's lament and is notable for its nearly impenetrable diction.
- For decades, blues scholars debated Hill's true identity until Gayle Dean Wardlow confirmed it through interviews with acquaintances.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Sam Collins - Friend and stylistic influence; Holmes fused Collins's south Mississippi blues style into his own music. (General influence on Hill's bottleneck guitar technique and vocal style.) [1920s-1930s]
- Ramblin' Thomas - Friend and influence from east Texas/Louisiana blues traditions. (General influence on Hill's musical approach.) [1920s-1930s]
- Blind Lemon Jefferson - Stylistic inspiration; elements of Jefferson's guitar work are evident in Hill's recordings. (General influence, especially on 'My Buddy Blind Papa Lemon.') [1920s-1930s]
Key Collaborators
- Ben Curry (possibly Bogus Ben Covington) - Fellow musician who recommended Holmes to Paramount and traveled with him to the recording session. (Paramount recording session, Grafton, Wisconsin) [1932]
- Marshal Owens - Blues singer who was present at the Paramount recording session. (Paramount recording session, Grafton, Wisconsin) [1932]
- Famous Blue Jay Singers of Birmingham - Gospel quartet present at the Paramount recording session. (Paramount recording session, Grafton, Wisconsin) [1932]
Artists Influenced
- Big Joe Williams - Williams claimed the King Solomon Hill name and cited the recordings as influential, though this was later disputed. (General influence on Williams's blues style.) [1930s-1940s]
- Later Delta and country blues musicians - Hill's haunting guitar and vocal style influenced subsequent generations of blues artists. (General influence; specific artists not individually documented.) [1940s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Top Tracks
- Whoopee Blues (Presenting King Solomon Hill)
- Gone Dead Train (Presenting King Solomon Hill)
- The Gone Dead Train (The Best There Ever Was: The Legendary Early Blues Performers)
- Whoopee Blues (Mississippi Masters: Early American Blues Classics 1927 - 35)
- Down On My Bended Knee (Take 2) (Backwoods Blues (1926-1935))
- Tell Me Baby (Backwoods Blues (1926-1935))
- Down on My Bended Knee (Presenting King Solomon Hill)
- Times Has Done Got Hard (Presenting King Solomon Hill)
- My Buddy Blind Papa Lemon (Presenting King Solomon Hill)
- Whoopie Blues (Country Blues Bottleneck Guitar Classics 1926-1937)
External Links
Tags: #blues, #country-blues, #delta-blues
References
Heard on WWOZ
KING SOLOMON HILL has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10, 2025 | 14:26 | THE GONE DEAD TRAINfrom SUITCASE FULL OF BLUES | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe |