One String Sam

Sam Wilson, known as One String Sam, brought the ancient, African-rooted diddley bow (a single wire strung over a board and played with a slide) into the commercial recording era. Discovered busking in Detroit by Joe Von Battle in 1956, he recorded the raw, hypnotic 'I Need A Hundred Dollars.' He was tracked down to perform at the 1973 Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival shortly before his death.