History of African Blues Music

By willnico210

  • Birthplace of African Blues Music

    African blues music started in the 1800's on southern plantations in the USA. The African slaves sang to pass time as they worked in the fields.
  • Period: to

    History of African Blues Music

  • The Thirteenth Amendment

    On Dec. 6, 1865, the amendment that abolished slavery was officially written out and passed. This amendment freed every slave owned in the United States, also freeing African blues music to the world.

  • Mississippi Delta

    In the Mississippi Delta (stretching from Memphis, Tennessee to Vicksburg, Mississippi. This was where the original African work songs were transformed into what is known as the Delta Blues.

  • New Orleans

    The birthplace of Jazz Blues is, without question, New Orleans. New Orleans was the only state where it was legal for African people to own drums. Not only was playing the drums excepted, but it was embraced. Many people, black and white, attended events including African Jazz blues

  • Robert Johnson

    Robert Johnson released his first song in 1929

  • Me and the Devil Blues

    Released by Robert Johnson.

  • Poisoned

    Robert Johnson played a couty dance in Mississippi back in 1938. Little did he know this would be his last show. He was poisoned by a lady who gave him a laced glass of whiskey.

  • McKinley Morganfield

    Muddy Waters recorded his first two songs,"Can't Be Satisfied" and "Feel Like Going Home," were among his first recorded.

  • Riley B. King Debut

    "The Beale Street Blues Boy" or, B.B. King for short, released his first recording in 1949

  • Hoochie Coochie Man

    Released by Muddy Waters

  • Blues Rock

    The combination of the two genres; rock and roll and blues was created in the 1960's.

  • I'd Rather Go Blind

    Released by Etta James

  • Found!

    Muddy Waters found Buddy Guy and started recording music together.

  • Howlin Wolf Release

    Howlin Wolf released his first album in 1969. This album was recorded in November of 1968

  • The Thrill is Gone

    Released by B.B. King.

  • Eric Clapton

    Blues music was still a hit, even in the 70's. Eric Clapton, recorded his first blues song in 1970, becoming a famous blues and rock guitarist.

  • I'm Tore Down

    Released by Freddie King.

  • Buddy Guy

    Buddy Guy released his first song "First Time I Met the Blues"

  • Stone Crazy

    Released by Buddy Guy.

  • Howlin Wolf

    Howlin Wolf passed away from congestive heart failure at the age of 66.

  • Muddy Waters

    On April 30, 1983, Muddy Waters passed away due to congestive heart failure.

  • Let My Tears Fall Down

    Released by Sue Foley

  • Slow Gin

    Released by Joe Bonamassa.

  • Prisoner of the Blues

    Released by Danny Bryant

  • B.B. King

    The world of blues shook on May 14, 2015 as B.B. King fans awoke to the news of his death. B.B. King lived an incredible, 90 year life.