BORN: March 14, 1914, Zachary, Louisiana

DIED: December 31, 1980, Rosedale, Louisiana

Despite its proximity to the state of Mississippi—the birthplace of the blues—Louisiana has produced few country blues artists of note. Nevertheless, one of the most compelling and primitive country blues artists of all time, Robert Pete Williams, was born in Louisiana.

Williams’ style was incomparable, primarily because he paid little attention to meter o...