I knew I liked 1960s music. I knew 60s bands would often wear their 20s and 30s blues influences on their sleeves. It's kind of like how bands today declare their love for Oasis.

So, my 1930s choices have often been guided by that. Find 1960s songs I liked, then find their ancestors.

Washboard Sam is truly the great grandfather of a lot of music I love.

Washboard Sam was born Robert Clifford Brown. His exact origins are a bit of a blues mystery, many sources cite his birth in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas in 1910, though some researchers point to Jackson, Tennessee as early as 1903.

Before recording himself, he cut his teeth in the 1920s as a Memphis street musician. He eventually moved to Chicago in 1932, where he became a fixture of the scene playing alongside his reputed half-brother, blues legend Big Bill Broonzy (who also features in 1000 Songs).

The tunes I have gone for are "Don't Tear My Clothes," released in 1936, and "Let Me Play Your Vendor." from '42.

"Don't Tear My Clothes" is a great piece of acoustic Chicago blues. It's driven by Washboard Sam's strong voice and it sounds big despite the recording limitations of the era.

Don't Tear My Clothes by Washboard Sam

Its traditional melody and chord progression were later adapted by The Animals for their 1964 hit, "Baby Let Me Take You Home."

Baby Let Me Take You Home by The Animals

"Let Me Play Your Vendor" also has that brilliant Washboard Sam sound. It was another one that the British Invasion bands of the 60s.

Let Me Play Your Vendor by Washboard Sam

Washboard Sam was a revered musician. He died in 1966 and was buried in an unmarked grave. However, in 2009 Steve Salter organised a concert in order to raise money for a headstone to be erected. Thankfully so!