Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe

Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy were a powerhouse husband-and-wife guitar duo who dominated the early Chicago recording scene. Memphis Minnie (born Lizzie Douglas in 1897 in Algiers, Louisiana; died 1973) was a fierce, virtuosic lead guitarist and vocalist. Kansas Joe McCoy (born 1905 in Hernando, Mississippi; died 1950) was a highly skilled rhythm player who provided a heavy, driving foundation. Discovered playing for tips on Beale Street, they were brought to Columbia Records in 1929.