Guitar Welch

Robert "Guitar" J. Welch (b. May 5, 1896 in Memphis, Tennessee, date of death unknown) was a blues singer and guitarist, and Louisiana State Penitentiary At Angola convict recorded by Dr. Harry Oster.

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Guitar Welch learned from the records of Lonnie Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson and played in bands starting in the late '30s. Welch was called "Guitar" and "King of the Blues" by the other convicts in the Angola prison. At Angola, Louisiana, there were a surprising number of talented performers (Robert Pete Williams a.o.). Several of them were recorded and interviewed by folklorist Dr. Harry Oster between 1952 and 1960, and some of this material was originally issued on his Folklyric label.