T.B. Blues

Album: The Essential Jimmie Rodgers (1931)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The unedifying title of this song is compounded by its inspiration. Singing Brakeman Jimmie Rodgers was born in the Deep South on September 8, 1897, and as a young man worked on the railroad. In 1924, he contracted tuberculosis, one of the great scourges of history. It was this that led to his star rising; forced to give up his job he formed a band, and three years later received his big break when he was recorded by Ralph Peer of the Victor Talking Machine Company. Alas, his career was short-lived, because he died on May 26, 1933 as a result of his illness.

    At 35 he was a year younger than another famous TB sufferer from the Deep South, Doc Holliday. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.