lonesome sundown

Biography

Lonesome Sundown, born Cornelius Green III on December 12, 1928, on the Dugas Plantation near Donaldsonville, Louisiana, emerged as a significant figure in the swamp blues scene of the 1950s and 1960s. After working various jobs in New Orleans and returning to his hometown, Green was inspired by blues legends like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, prompting him to learn guitar from his cousin. His early musical journey included a stint with the Zydeco Ramblers before he moved to Opelousas, Louisiana, where he began writing his own songs and collaborating with local musicians.[1][2]

Green's breakthrough came when he recorded a demo for producer J. D. "Jay" Miller in Crowley, who gave him the stage name "Lonesome Sundown" and helped launch his career with Excello Records. His distinctive style blended the emotive storytelling of classic blues with the rhythmic, atmospheric qualities of Louisiana swamp blues. Notable tracks like "Lonesome Whistler" and "My Home Is a Prison" showcased his understated vocal delivery and expressive guitar work, setting him apart from his contemporaries. Despite early success, Sundown's career waned by the mid-1960s, leading him to retire from music for a period, during which he became a minister. He made a brief comeback in the late 1970s, recording the album "Been Gone Too Long" and performing at major festivals before retiring for good.[1][2][3]

Lonesome Sundown's legacy endures through his influential recordings and his role in shaping the swamp blues genre. He was posthumously inducted into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame in 2000, and his music continues to be celebrated for its authenticity, technical fluency, and evocative songwriting. Sundown died in Gonzales, Louisiana, on April 23, 1995, after suffering a stroke the previous year.[1][3]

Fun Facts

• Lonesome Sundown's stage name was given to him by producer J. D. 'Jay' Miller, who felt it matched his melancholic musical style.[2]
• He left the music industry in the mid-1960s, became a laborer, and later a minister, only returning to record again in the late 1970s.[1]
• His song 'My Home Is a Prison' is noted for its deeply autobiographical lyrics, reflecting his personal struggles.[3]
• Sundown was posthumously inducted into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame in 2000.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Muddy Waters - Major stylistic influence; Sundown was inspired by Waters' blues sound and approach. (General influence on guitar playing and vocal style.) [Late 1940s–1950s]
• John Lee Hooker - Inspirational figure; Sundown learned to play guitar with Hooker's 'Boogie Chillun' as his first song. (General influence; 'Boogie Chillun' was the first song Sundown learned.) [Late 1940s]
• Cousin (unnamed) - Taught Sundown to play guitar when he returned to Donaldsonville. (Early guitar lessons.) [Late 1940s]

Key Collaborators

• J. D. 'Jay' Miller - Producer and mentor; launched Sundown's recording career and shaped his sound. (Excello Records singles, including 'Leave My Money Alone', 'Lonesome Whistler', and others.) [1956–early 1960s]
• Phillip Walker - Guitarist and touring partner; collaborated on later recordings and international tours. (Album 'From LA To L.A.' (1982), tours of Sweden and Japan.) [Late 1970s–early 1980s]
• Katie Webster - Pianist; contributed to Sundown's Excello sessions. (Session work on Excello singles.) [1950s–1960s]
• Leroy Washington - Guitarist; played on several recording sessions. (Session work on Excello singles.) [1950s–1960s]
• Lionel Prevost (aka Lionel Torrence) - Tenor saxophonist; contributed to Sundown's distinctive sound. (Session work on Excello singles.) [1950s–1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Phillip Walker - Walker was both a collaborator and was influenced by Sundown's swamp blues style, as evidenced in their joint work and Walker's solo career. (From LA To L.A.; Walker's later blues recordings.) [1970s–1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Dealin' From The Bottom Of The Deck (Been Gone Too Long)
2. One More Night (Been Gone Too Long)
3. They Call Me Sundown (Been Gone Too Long)
4. Gonna Stick To You Baby (I'm A Mojo Man: The Best Of The Excello Singles)
5. My Home Is A Prison (I'm A Mojo Man: The Best Of The Excello Singles)
6. They Call Me Sundown (Been Gone Too Long)
7. Dealin' From The Bottom Of The Deck (Been Gone Too Long)
8. One More Night (Been Gone Too Long)
9. Don't Say A Word (I'm A Mojo Man: The Best Of The Excello Singles)
10. Don't Go (I'm A Mojo Man: The Best Of The Excello Singles)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #louisiana-blues, #swamp-blues