Kokomo Arnold

Kokomo Arnold (February 15, 1901 – November 8, 1968) was a highly influential African-American blues musician whose slide guitar style and distinctive, expressive vocals shaped the Delta blues and had a long-standing impact on the evolution of blues music. Born James Arnold in Lovejoy's Station, Georgia, he earned the moniker "Kokomo" from his popular recording of the song "Old Original Kokomo Blues" in the early 1930s, which was later reworked into "Sweet Home Chicago" by Robert Johnson, cementing Arnold's influence in the annals of blues history.

Arnold's career was characterized by his dextrous slide guitar work and a resonant voice that carried the emotional weight of his lyrics. While he did not achieve the same level of fame as some of his contemporary bluesmen during the pre-war era, songs like "Milk Cow Blues" have secured his legacy, being covered by artists across various genres and generations. Despite his profound talent, Arnold's recording career was relatively brief, spanning just the 1930s. He recorded a prolific number of tracks during this period, but retreated from the music industry by the 1940s, reportedly disillusioned with the business side of music. Nevertheless, his body of work has kept his name alive among blues enthusiasts, and his recordings continue to be celebrated for their energy and raw emotional power.

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Chicago Blues

Delta Blues

Traditional Blues

Related Artists

Robert Johnson

Son House

Skip James

Bukka White

Mississippi John Hurt

Muddy Waters

Elmore James

Tampa Red

Blind Lemon Jefferson

Big Joe Williams

Lonnie Johnson

Big Bill Broonzy

Latest Release

Original Steel - The Kokomo Arnold Legacy

Kokomo Arnold

Album - 12 Tracks - Released August 15, 2025