Leadbelly

Real Name: Huddie William Ledbetter

American folk and blues singer, musician, and songwriter notable for his strong vocals, virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the folk standards he introduced, including his renditions of "Goodnight, Irene", "Midnight Special", "Cotton Fields", and "Boll Weevil".
Born: January 23, 1888 in Mooringsport, Louisiana, USA
Died: December 6, 1949 in New York, NY, USA

Though many releases credit him as "Leadbelly", he himself wrote it as "Lead Belly", which is also the spelling on his tombstone.

Inducted into Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 (Early Influence).
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.