Birth Name: Steven Edward Duren
Place of Birth: Staten Island, New York, United States
Date of Birth: September 4, 1956
Ethnicity:
*German, Irish (father)
*1/4 Blackfoot Native American, possibly Jewish and French (mother)
Blackie Lawless is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and former bassist of the heavy metal band W.A.S.P.
Blackie’s uncle was Major League Baseball pitcher Ryne Duren (Rinold George Duren), meaning Blackie’s father was Ryne’s brother. Ryne had German and Irish ancestry, though it is not clear which of his siblings is Blackie’s father.
He has stated that his bloodline is Jewish, although he holds a deep Christian faith. It is not clear if this ancestry has been documented. If Blackie is of Jewish descent, it is on his mother’s side.
Blackie has also stated that he is part Native American. An article reported that Blackie’s mother is of one quarter Blackfoot Native American descent. Blackie’s mother is also said to have French ancestry, although it is not clear if this is accurate.
Blackie’s paternal grandparents were Nicholas Rinold Duren (the son of Joseph William Duren and Anna Margaret Leimkuehler) and Anne/Anna M. Murphy (the daughter of Stephen John Murphy and Nora/Mora Quinn). Joseph was German. Anna was born in Cazenovia, Wisconsin, to German parents. Stephen and Nora/Mora were both born in Wisconsin, to Irish parents.
Source: Genealogy of Blackie’s father (through his brother, Rinold George Duren) – http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
Genealogy of Blackie’s paternal grandmother, Anne/Anna M. Murphy – https://familysearch.org/
Blackie’s paternal grandfather, Nicholas Rinold Duren, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MM27-6ZN
Nicholas Rinold Duren, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MP2L-9M8
Nicholas Rinold Duren, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFKZ-RBY
Blackie’s paternal grandmother, Anne/Anna M. Murphy, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPJG-2K2
Anne/Anna M. Murphy on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFK6-9SG
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