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Slave Songs
African-American songs are published -
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Blues Music
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"Maple Leaf Rag"
Scott Joplin's early ragtime composition, "Maple Leaf Rag" was published in 1899, and became an inspiration to other ragtime composers. -
First Recording of Blues Songs
WC Handy recorded and released "Memphis Blues", which became one of the most monumental movements in the blues music world. The music was different than anyone had ever heard. -
"Crazy Blues"
Mamie Smith, a singer, dancer, actress, and pianist, recorded
"Crazy Blues" with Okeh Records. This became the first blues hit. Because of this, race recording became a big thing. Race records were 78-rpm records that were marketed toward African Americans, and contained mainly blues, jazz, and gospel music.
Before this song, blues music was instrumental. -
Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey
Shortly after Mamie Smith begins the race recording era, classical blues artists, Bessie smith and Ma Rainey, record. Bessie Smith wad known as the "Empress of the Blues", and Ma Rainey "Mother of the Blues." -
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Blind Lemon Jefferson is recorded for the first time. He was a blind, talented blues musician. In November of 1926, he recorded Blake Snake Moan -
The Great Depression
When Wall Street crashed, and the Great Depression Began, the music industry took a huge economic hit.. Record sales were at a low, because no one could afford to buy them. -
Electric guitar
Eddie Durham becomes the first artist to record music with an electric guitar. This was the beginning of a big transformation in blues music. -
Rhythm and Blues
An editor of Billboard magazine, Jerry Wexler, uses the term "rhythm and blues", instead of the previous term "race records". -
Three O'Clock Blues
B.B. King's first hit is his rhythm and blues version of Three O'Clock Blues. -
Brown v. Board of Education
A huge step for the Black community, and all people alike, the case of Brown versus the Board of Education judges to desegregate schools. -
Country Blues
The Country Blues is published by Samuel Charters. -
Newport Jazz Festival
Muddy Waters performs in Rhode Island, at the Newport Jazz Festival, which was a major move in the blues industry. His performance, which was viewed by many white people, helped show blues to a broader audience. The album he performed was one of the first blues albums to be performed live. -
British Invasion
The Rolling Stones go on their first United States tour, which marks the start of the British Invasion. British blues rock bands began rising in the music industry. -
Freedom Summer
There was a Civil Rights campaign that drew young, white people to the South/ The campaign was to register black voters.
