Edward James “Son” House, Jr. (21 March 1902 – 19 October 1988) was an American blues singer and guitarist. He started a career as a preacher, then switched to blues music at age 25. A a result of his preaching experience, his blues music had a distinct vocal power and emotional style.

For a time, his music career was on hold while he did time at Parchman Farm penitentiary in Mississippi. Upon his release, he caught the attention of Charley Patton, the foremost blues artist of the time, and was invited to work with him in a 1930 recording session at Paramount Records. But it was the beginning of the Great Depression, and records didn’t sell. House remained popular in Mississippi, and became a influencer on Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Today, he’s mentioned as an influencer by Bonnie Raitt, Jack White and John Mooney.