![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Ike_Zimmerman.jpg/640px-Ike_Zimmerman.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Ike Zimmerman
American blues guitarist (1907ā1967) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Isaiah "Ike" Zimmerman (April 27, 1907 ā August 3, 1967) was an American blues guitarist, who is now known to have been musician Robert Johnson's main guitar teacher.
Ike Zimmerman | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Isaiah Zimmerman |
Born | April 27, 1907 (1907-04-27) Grady, Alabama. U.S. |
Died | August 3, 1967 (1967-08-04) (aged 60) Compton, California, U.S. |
Genres | Blues, Delta Blues |
Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
Years active | 1920s to 1950s |
Known for | Mentor of Robert Johnson |
Zimmerman[n. 1] (sometimes spelled Zinnerman) was born in Grady, Alabama. He married Ruth Sellers in the late 1920s, and lived with her and their children near Beauregard, Mississippi. He played guitar and harmonica in local juke joints, often practicing at night in local cemeteries where he would not disturb others. He became known for his guitar skills, and gave guitar lessons. Robert Johnson, who had been born in nearby Hazlehurst, came back to the area, probably around 1931, and was hoping to find his father, Noah Johnson. Johnson stopped to visit a local juke joint, where he saw Zimmerman perform. [1][2]