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"Memphis Blues" was one of the earliest published blues songs in history, and marked as one of the grand emergence of blues. -
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Bessie Smith recorded her famous song, "Downhearted Blues", and she was informally formally named as the "Empress of the Blues". -
Charley Patton AKA "Father of the Delta Blues" recorded his earliest influential songs such as "Pony Blues", which later became distinguished in Blues history. -
Alan Lomax recorded his famous Delta Blues song, "Muddy Waters" in Mississippi for the Library of Congress. -
Memphis becomes a hot spot for blues, and influences the genre of blues known as "Memphis Blues", especially solidified when B.B. king moved to Memphis and heavily influenced the music there. Beale street rises as a well known street flourishing with blues culture. -
Howlin' Wolf recorded his first tracks in Memphis. They became important as an influence, and he became important as a figure in Chicago blues. -
The Newport Folk Festival featured Blues music, including the artist John Lee Hooker. -
The Blues Breakers John Mayall ft. Eric Clapton released the album Blues Breaker. This album was a defining moment for British Blues and Blues Rock. -
Eric Clapton released the Album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs with Derek and The Dominos. It was inspired by the Blues and Robert Johnsons "crossroads" myth, the album was officially a Blues-Rock genre, and the album was performed. It sparked the interest in the Blues again in the public eye. -
Memphis created The Beale Street Music Festival, meant to celebrate Blues and other genres once a year. -
The Blues Foundation created the W.C. Hand Blues Award which was created to recognize Blues talent and excellence. These are some of the most prestigious awards in the Blues genre. -
The Grammy's announced the very 1st award for Best Traditional Blues Recording. It was won by Muddy Waters for his album "Muddy 'Mississippi' Waters Live". -
The Blues Foundation hosted the very 1st International Blues Challenge in Memphis, which created the opportunity for emerging talent in Blues to showcase it to the world. -
Stevie Ray Vaughn, was an important figure in Blues. He was musician and apart of a Blues Rock trio. He died at 35 years old in a tragic helicopter crash. He left a legacy. -
B.B. King passed away after a life of paving the way for Blues to thrive, and was a one of a kind blues performer, musician, and composer. One of the most iconic blues musician of all time. The world mourned him, and his impact on Blues music is forever lasting.