Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe | |
|---|---|
Monroe promotional photo, 1952 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Smith Monroe |
| Born | September 13, 1911 Rosine, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Origin | Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | September 9, 1996 (aged 84) Springfield, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) | Mandolin, guitar |
| Years active | 1927–1996 |
| Labels | |
William Smith Monroe (/mənˈroʊ/ mən-ROH; September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the "Father of Bluegrass".
The genre takes its name from his band, the Blue Grass Boys, who named their group for the bluegrass of Monroe's home state of Kentucky. He described the genre as "Scottish bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin'. It's Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It's blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound."