SHREVEPORT, La.— The Robinson Film Center will present a screening of Lead Belly: The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll, a documentary chronicling the life and legacy of blues pioneer Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, at 6 p.m. on Jan. 18. The event will include a post-screening Q&A and a live musical performance.
The film traces Lead Belly’s journey from his Louisiana roots through his rise as a cultural icon, featuring rare archival footage, live performances, and interviews with artists such as B.B. King, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Harry Belafonte. It highlights the musician’s remarkable life, including how he sang his way out of two prison sentences and ultimately earned induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“Lead Belly’s story is one of perseverance, brilliance, and the transformative power of music,” said Alvin Singh of House of Lead Belly, LLC. “This film not only honors his legacy but also introduces new audiences to the man behind the legend.”
Wendell Riley, executive director of the Robinson Film Center, said the film connects deeply with the city’s cultural history. “Audiences will experience not only the music that helped shape rock & roll, but also the human story of an artist who changed the course of American culture,” Riley said.
Additional screening details and ticket information are available at robinsonfilmcenter.org. The trailer for the documentary can be viewed here.