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Blues Music
The origins of modern Blues start here. Songs were sung on plantations or during work to get through the day. It carries on to become a defining genre for America. -
W.C. Handy "The Father of Blues" is Born
W.C. Handy, who is considered "The Father of Blues" is born this year. -
Bessie Smith is Born
A Blues queen and superstar, Bessie Smith is the most influential female Blues artist. -
Howlin' Wolf is Born
Considered to be one of the most electrifying Blues performers in history. -
Robert Johnson is Born
Considered the "most important Blues musician who ever lived". -
First Blues Song Published
Hart Wand published the first widely recognized Blues song this year, "Dallas Blues". -
Okeh Records is Established
Okeh Records was one of the biggest and most influential in the Blues era! -
1 Million Copies Sold for a Blues Song
"The Jazz Hounds" with Mamie Smith recorded "Crazy Blues" written by Perry Bradford. In its first year it sold over one million copies! -
Bessie Smith Becomes the First Blues "Superstar"
Bessie Smith was one of the most popular female Blues artists and performed with legends like Louis Armstrong! At her peak she earned over $2000/week for performances alone! -
Pinetop's Boogie Woogie is Published
An incredibly popular Blues song is released. It starts to shift over to Jazz from Blues -
"Gimme a Pigfoot" is Released
Bessie Smith's hit cemented her into her position as "Empress of Blues" -
Blues Modernizes
Around 1940-50 WWII was raging, and change in all things was inevitable. Blues artists started using more electrified jazz or rock instruments and moving away from the classic Delta Blues. -
Chicago/Urban Blues Develop
In the 1950s, the urbanization of Blues music happen as a slow shift to northern urban states from the deep south occur. -
Muddy Waters Records "Mannish Boy"
Mannish Boy, by Muddy Waters was one of his greatest hits. It's a Blues classic. -
Robert Johnson Releases "Hellbound on my Trail"
"Hellbound on my Trail" is one of the most influential, if not the most, Delta Blues song ever made.
