Amoeba Music

Dock Boggs was born Moran Lee Boggs in 1898 in West Norton, Virginia. (He was called Dock because his parents named him after the doctor who delivered him.) His recordings are few, but they remain important documents, preserving the sound of early folk music at the dawn of the recording era. Boggs played banjo in his own unique style, applying the techniques of blues and folk guitar to the instrument.

For most of his adult life (ages 12 to 56) Boggs worked in the coal mines and was a member of the then radical United Mine Workers, and never bowed to the harsh demands of the mine owners. He was the youngest of ten children; three older brothers played banjo and several sisters were know as fine singers, as was his father. He heard a... Read More

City Of Origin:

West Norton, VA, United States

Genre:

Folk, Traditional Folk, Old-Time Folk

Birthdate:

02/07/1898

Death date:

08/07/1971