Bill Monroe | |
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![]() Monroe (left) and his brother Charlie in 1936 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | William Smith Monroe |
Born | Rosine, Kentucky, U.S. | September 13, 1911
Origin | Kentucky, U.S. |
Died | September 9, 1996 Springfield, Tennessee, U.S. | (aged 84)
Genres | |
Instrument(s) | Mandolin, guitar |
Years active | 1927–1996 |
Labels |
William Smith Monroe (/mənˈroʊ/ mən-ROH; September 13, 1911[1] – September 9, 1996)[2] was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, and created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the "Father of Bluegrass".[3]
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."[4]
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