Pete Franklin

Edward Lamonte “Guitar Pete” Franklin (b. Indianapolis, January 16, 1928 – d. Indianapolis, July 31, 1975) – Singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Unlike many of his fellow bluesmen in Indy, Pete Franklin was born in Indianapolis. During the 1940s and 1950s, he traveled extensively and started recording as a leader and as a sideman in Chicago in 1947. His many sides from 1947 to 1954 are on RCA and JOB, and some are with John Brim, who went to Chicago via Indianapolis. In the 1960s, he recorded in Indianapolis on Flyright and Blue Goose. Lastly, he and Yank Rachell—both senior bluesmen in Indy by the 1960s and 1970s—were instrumental in introducing the blues to new audiences.