About Me
Robert Nighthawk was born in Helena, AR on November 30, 1909. He ran away from home after his mother and father (Ned & Mattie McCoy-McCollum) were killed. His sister found him and brought him back home. He loved music and was unable to stay at home (with his only brother & sister, Samuel and Ethel McCollum); he was unable to stay anywhere for long, the music bug had bitten him! Many people have said that he took up busking [live performances in public places to entertain people, usually to solicit donations and tips], but the truth is he had a family in Chicago. He was very private and enjoyed the rumors [Ernest Lane confirmed this]. Robert enjoyed playing freely without having managers or someone who would take his money while he did the work. Robert married several times and had many children. Three children are living — Sam Carr — Geni McCollum-Ward — Marianne McCollum-Harris.In 1935 he moved to St. Louis after a brush with the law (supposedly) and took the name Robert McCoy after his mother's maiden name (there is no mention of this on the back of his drivers license under criminal activity).
He was looking for a moniker, so he used a series of names: Peetie’s Boy, Rambling Bob, and Robert McCoy (Charlie & Kansas Joe McCoy were his first cousins), finally settling on Robert Nighthawk. He took the name Nighthawk after a truck he saw travelling down the highway.1943 — 1947 he appeared on the "Bright Star Flour" and "Mothers Best Flour" broadcast on KFFA radio in Helena, AR with Sonny Payne. He also appeared on the WROX station in Clarksdale, MS and the famed WDIA station in Memphis, TN.Robert worked with John Lee Hooker in Memphis, Jimmie Rodgers in Jackson, The Mississippi Sheiks, Henry Townsend, Joe Williams in Friars’ Point, Charley Jordan, Walter Davis, Peetie Wheatstraw, John Lee [Sonny Boy] Williamson, Pinetop Perkins, Earl Hooker, Elmore James, Willie Dixon, Ike Turner, Ernest Lane, Mary Lane, Son Seals, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy, Little Mack Simmons, Big Jack Johnson, Jimmy Lee Robinson, CeDell Davis, Robert Jr. Lockwood, and Muddy Waters.He made his first recordings in 1937 for Bluebird (in Aurora, IL with Sonny Boy Williamson), In 1940 he moved to the Decca label, from 1948 — 1950 he switched to the Aristocrat label, then to United and States labels in Chicago 1951 — 1954. He returned to Chicago to work in his record shop with his brother Samuel McCollum and early mornings he worked Maxwell Street for tips. In the early 1940’s he switched from the acoustic guitar to the electric guitar and using the slide technique. He was influenced by Tampa Red’s style and perfected it and made it his own. It is said that he knew how to make his guitar sound human! During this period he recorded “Annie Lee†and "Sweet Black Angel" which became his signature pieces. B.B. King re-recorded it as "Sweet Little Angel" and due to his more commercial appeal, he had a major hit.In 1963 he appeared in the film "And This Is Free". In 1964 he and the 'Flames of Rhythm' worked in many clubs and taverns in Chicago. He also worked as a sideman and cut a split session for the Testament label.Robert Nighthawk died November 5, 1967; he is buried in the Magnolia Cemetery in Helena, Arkansas. music layout powered by HOT FreeLayouts.com / MyHotComments
