Clifford Gibson, born on April 17, 1901 in Louisville, Kentucky, was an American blues singer and guitarist recognized as one of the earliest urban blues performers with no pronounced rural influences. He moved to St. Louis, Missouri in the 1920s where he began his music career playing in local clubs. In 1929, Gibson started recording for QRS and Victor labels, releasing notable tracks such as "Bad Luck Dice" (1929) and "Hard Headed Blues" (1929). His guitar style was influenced by Lonnie Johnson but distinguished itself through the use of a capo and open tunings. Gibson collaborated with Jimmie Rodgers on the single "Let Me Be Your Side Track" in 1931, and later resurfaced on recordings in 1960 for Little Milton's Bobbin label. He continued performing in St. Louis' Gaslight Square until his death from pulmonary edema on December 21, 1963.
