Guitar Crusher

Birth Name: Sidney Selby

Date of Birth: July 28, 1931

Place of Birth: Lake Landing, Hyde, North Carolina, U.S.

Date of Death: September 23, 2020

Ethnicity: African-American

Guitar Crusher was an American blues singer and guitarist. He was also known as “Bone Crusher.”

His mother was named Katie (Selby) Broch. It is not publicly known who the biological father was. Guitar Crusher was married to Marie-Rose Klara Paula “Mara” von Hartz. His grandson by paternal line from his previous marriage is singer Desiigner.

Guitar Crusher’s maternal grandfather was Philip Selby (the son of Burrage Selby and Melvina Brooks). Philip was born in North Carolina. Burrage was the son of Burrage Selby and Julia Ann Shackleford. Melvina was the daughter of Samuel “Sam” Brooks and Mary.

Guitar Crusher’s maternal grandmother was Leitha Jane Howard (the daughter of Benjamin “Bennie” Howard and Louise Gibbs). Leitha was born in North Carolina. Louise was the daughter of Samuel Gibbs and Rose Spence.

Sources: Birth record of Guitar Crusher –

Guitar Crusher on the 1940 U.S. Census –

Marriage record of Guitar Crusher, to Marie-Rose Klara Paula “Mara” von Hartz –

Marriage records of Guitar Crusher’s maternal grandparents, Philip Selby and Leitha Jane Howard –

Death record of Guitar Crusher’s maternal grandfather, Philip Selby –

Marriage records of Guitar Crusher’s maternal great-grandparents, Burrage Selby and Melvina Brooks –

Guitar Crusher’s maternal great-grandfather, Burrage Selby, on the 1870 U.S. Census –

Guitar Crusher’s maternal great-grandmother, Melvina Brooks, on the 1870 U.S. Census –

Death record of Guitar Crusher’s maternal grandmother, Leitha Jane (Howard) Selby –

Marriage records of Guitar Crusher’s maternal great-grandparents, Benjamin Howard and Louise (Gibbs) Swindell –

Guitar Crusher’s maternal great-grandmother, Louise Gibbs, on the 1870 U.S. Census –