On this day in 1974 the man who wrote That’s All Right covered so famously by Elvis died.

Arthur Big Boy Crudup was born in Mississippi in 1905. He became a blues singer and made his way to Chicago. He did not really do too well there as he was living in a packing crate when he was discovered by record producer Lester Melrose. Although he could barely make a living working solo in Chicago melrose saw something in Crudup. he introduced Crudup to Tampa Red and signed him to RCA Victor’s Bluebird Label.

His first recording session was in 1941. In some ways the start of his recording career which promised so much delivered so little. After each recording session he would have to return to the labour camp to get work to get enough money to live.

His records were selling but where were the royalties? He sued Melrose, but with no result. In the early 50s he even stopped recording altogether. Then, his songs were taken up by Presley. Surely, his fortunes would change now? Not a bit of it.

Still no royalties. So in 1971 he sued to get his hands on his royalties again. This time a cheque for $60,000 was written, but it was never signed………….

He was dead 3 years later, a poor man. The Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll, whose songs helped send Elvis to stardom, whose songs were recorded by so many rock artists died an honoured but poor man.