Renowned blues musician Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, whose songs were covered by the likes of Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead and Joan Baez, was announced as a 2022 inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Wednesday morning. Cotten was born in what is now Carrboro in 1893.

Cotten began composing music during her childhood and quickly became proficient with both the guitar and banjo. Her finger-plucking technique eventually developed its own name: “Cotten style.” Cotten, who was left-handed, learned both instruments upside-down, making her sound unique among blues music.

It wasn’t until Cotten was in her 60s that she began to officially record her music. It began by pure chance: Cotten was working as a nanny and maid for the Seeger family when they heard her play and recognized her talent. One of the Seeger children produced Cotten’s first LP record.

Cotten was declared a National Heritage Fellow during her later years, and the Smithsonian Institution recognized her as a “living treasure.” Cotten won her first-ever Grammy at age 90, before passing away in 1987.

Cotten is memorialized in Carrboro with a mural at 111 North Merritt Mill Road, and a bikeway through town is named in her honor.

 

Featured image via Michael G. Parker on Twitter

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