Rare film of Sonny Boy Williamson and Robert Lockwood, 1942 – no sound though!

Max Moore, owner of Interstate Grocery in Helena, Arkansas, was the sponsor for radio station KFFA’s now historically important ‘King Biscuit Time’ radio programme which featured over the years a number of great delta blues musicians, notably (Rice Miller) Sonny Boy Williamson. This is believed to be a home movie shot circa 1942.

It features blues musicians Robert ‘Junior’ Lockwood on guitar and Sonny Boy Williamson performing on the front porch of a small town Arkansas grocery store.

This is likely the earliest footage of these musicians performing together. The second portion of the clip is a 1952 tour featuring Sonny Boy Williamson and his band.

This film was preserved with a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation. Max Moore Home Movie Collection.

Sadly no sound! We can only wish