-
After the Civil War ended in 1865, African American spirituals and field hollers laid the groundwork for blues music, as they expressed hardship, emotion, and everyday life in their songs.
-
-
In 1899, Scott Joplin released Maple Leaf Rag, a famous ragtime composition. Early blues was greatly influenced by ragtime music and the rhythms like the ones in this song.
-
In 1903, W.C. Handy, credited as the "Father of the Blues", first discovered blues music when he heard a song on a train platform in Mississippi. -
In 1912, W.C. Handy composed and published "Memphis Blues," which was the first song with the word blues in the title to be published. -
Handy publishes the blues song "St. Louis Blues," and ends up being an influential blues song, helping to popularize blues music.
-
In 1920, Mamie Smith recorded "Crazy Blues," the first blues song recorded ever. https://youtu.be/qaz4Ziw_CfQ
-
In 1923, Bessie Smith recorded her first song, "Downhearted Blues". It sold over 750,000 copies, instantly becoming a huge success and launching Smith into fame. -
In 1931, the electric guitar was invented by George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker , forever altering the blues music style with its amplified sound being added. -
In 1936, Robert Johnson, also referred to as the "King of Delta Blues," began recording in San Antonio. With the recording of his most famous and iconic song, "Cross Road Blues," Johnson became legendary as a blues musician, influencing future artists like Muddy Waters. -
As millions of African Americans moved from the rural south to northern cities, blues music was spread, and popular musicians like Muddy Waters were brought to Chicago. -
In 1950, Leonard and Phil Chess established Chess Records in Chicago, and it became a crucial label for electric blues music, helping to launch the careers of many musicians. -
In 1951, B.B. King recorded "3 O'Clock Blues," his first major hit that reached number 1 on the Billboard RB chart. This success of the song established him as a leading blues musician, starting his influential career. -
In 1954, Muddy Waters releases one of his most popular songs, "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man." The song is a defining Chicago electric blues hit, as it influenced generations of blues and rock musicians later. -
In 1956, Elvis Presley released "Heartbreak Hotel," with the blues song bringing blues rhythms and styles to more mainstream audiences. -
In 1963, British bands like The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds began incorporating American blues elements into their music, later inspiring a new generation of rock musicians and British blues bands like Fleetwood Mac and Led Zepellin.