Joe McCoy

About

Otherwise known as Kansas Joe, he released songs including "When the Levee Break" and "The Weed Smoker's Dream."

Before Fame

His first hit, "Bumble Bee," became a hit for Columbia Records.

Trivia

His song "Why Don't You Do Right" became Peggy Lee's first hit and a jazz standard.

Family Life

He was married to Lizzie Douglas, who helped him write several of his songs.

Associated With

Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin covered McCoy's song "When the Levee Breaks," with slight lyrical and musical alterations, on the band's 1971 album, Led Zeppelin IV.