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The blues emerges from the African American communities of the Mississippi Delta and other Southern regions. It blends work songs, spirituals, and field hollers, reflecting the experiences of slavery, sharecropping, and hardship. -
From the very beginning, to now!
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Millions of African Americans migrated from the rural South to Northern and Western cities, bringing the blues with them and leading to the development of regional blues styles.
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The first commercial blues recordings are made, popularizing the genre and launching the careers of artists like Mamie Smith and Bessie Smith. -
Female blues singers like Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Mamie Smith become major stars, popularizing the blues and influencing future generations of musicians.
Bessie Smith -
delta Blues develops as a distinct style, characterized by solo guitar playing, often with a bottleneck slide, and raw emotional vocals. Key figures include Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and Son House.
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Chicago Blues emerges as a result of the Great Migration, with amplified instruments, a driving rhythm, and a more urban sound. Key figures include Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon. -
Independent record labels like Chess Records and Vee-Jay Records play a crucial role in recording and promoting blues artists, helping to bring the music to a wider audience.
Chess Records -
The Blues heavily influences the development of rock and roll, with artists like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard incorporating blues elements into their music. -
British musicians like The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and Eric Clapton became major blues enthusiasts, popularizing the music in Europe and introducing it to a new generation. -
Blues music influences the folk scene, with artists like Bob Dylan incorporating blues elements into their music. -
A renewed interest in the blues leads to the rediscovery of older blues artists and the emergence of new blues musicians.
Blues Revival -
The blues is featured in films and television shows, helping to keep the music alive and introduce it to new audiences.
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The Blues Foundation is established to preserve and promote blues music, including the Blues Music Awards and the Blues Hall of Fame. -
Contemporary blues artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, and Bonnie Raitt achieve mainstream success, expanding the audience of the blues.
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The blues continues to evolve and thrive, with new artists emerging and the music being celebrated through festivals, recordings, and educational programs.
Best Blues of Today