The Resume

(March 6, 1893-September 14, 1981)
Born in Greenwood, Mississippi
Birth name was Walter Lewis
Blues singer and guitarist
Songs included 'Kassie Jones,' 'John Henry,' 'Billy Lyons and Stack-O-Lee,' 'Good Morning Judge,' 'Furry's Worried Blues,' 'I'm Black,' 'Good Looking Girl Blues' and 'A Chicken Ain't Nothin' But A Bird'
Appeared in the film 'W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings' (1975)

Why he might be annoying:

While performing in medicine shows, he appeared in blackface.
He lost his leg in an accident when he tried to jump onto a freight train (1917); he had over $200 in cash on him and could have easily afforded a ticket.
When he got tired of life as a touring musician, he got a job as a street sweeper in Memphis.
When Joni Mitchell wrote the song 'Furry Sings the Blues' about him, his response was to complain that he was not getting any royalties from it.

Why he might not be annoying:

While he was playing a home-made guitar on the street for money, he was spotted by W.C. Handy, who recognized his talent and bought him his first real guitar.
He was rediscovered during the early 60s folk revival.
He twice was the opening act when the Rolling Stones played Memphis.
He was the first black man named an Honorary Colonel by the state of Tennessee (1973).
In his later years, he began losing his eyesight due to cataracts.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Amputees
• Appeared in Black Face
• Blues Musicians
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 43]
• I Covered 'Stagger Lee'
• I Did Not Graduate High School [J-M]
• I Died in 1981 (Ranked: 88)
• I'm Remembered in a Tribute Song
• Look at Me, I'm Thirsty
• Look at Me, I've Been Caught Smoking
• Look at Me, I've Been Caught with Alcohol
• My Nickname is Part of My Name [A-L]
• Profiles 33251-33500 (Ranked: 33287)
• Visually Impaired
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 19810914)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying