"Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup, 1973" Photograph by David D. Spitzer

July 5 Arthur Crudup was a Delta blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Many of his songs were popularized through covers done by rock and roll artists like Elvis Presley. In fact, Crudup was the original performer of "That's All Right", the first single that Elvis Pressley released, which was recorded on this day in 1954.

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, 1973

Description: A black-and-white photograph of Arthur Big Boy Crudup singing and playing guitar during a performance in New York City. He is wearing a vertical striped shirt and glasses and is behind a microphone. His guitar is just visible at the bottom of the frame.

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by: David D. Spitzer, American
Subject of: Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, American, 1905 - 1974

Date: 1973

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 13 3/4 x 9 3/16 in. (34.9 x 23.4 cm); H x W (Sheet): 13 15/16 x 10 1/8 in. (35.4 x 25.7 cm); H x W (Matted): 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

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