Sleepy John Estes

Memphis
1976

I arrived in a small house far beyond the outskirts of Memphis. My guide asked Sleepy if I could photograph him. Sleepy replied, “Okay, but he’s got to buy beer.” I couldn’t understand a word of what he was saying – his southern accent was so extreme – and my hippy guide had to act as an interpreter. I ended up buying a lot of beer. People from all around the neighborhood rolled up and it turned into a big party.