Leadbelly was a folk-blues musician who began playing instruments at a young age, eventually mastering his signature 12 string guitar.

While serving time for murder in 1925, he was pardoned by the Governor of Texas. The governor had visited the prison several times to hear Leadbelly sing, and Leadbelly later maintained that he won over the governor with his song “Please Pardon Me.”

Huddie Ledbetter aka “Leadbelly” earned his nickname for violent behavior and ability to drink moonshine. Leadbelly didn’t sell many records, but his folk music was later discovered and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain was known to be heavily influenced by Leadbelly. Most famously, “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” was covered by the band during their MTV Unplugged performance.

Nirvana covered two other Leadbelly songs, “Ain’t It A Shame” and “They Hung Him on a Cross”.