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Blues Timeline
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First Slave Songs Were Published
In 1867, right after the end of slavery and the first songs from slaves were published which originated from the religious music from the African-american community, which eventually became known as blues. -
First Black Song Was Published.
George Washington Johnson became the first African-American to make commercial records, the son was called The Laughing Song to the National Recording Registry -
First Published Blues Song
The first published blues song was called "I Got The Blues" written by Anthony Maggio. -
The First Blues Hit "Memphis Blues" Came Out
In 1912 W.C Handy released one of the most famous and oldest blues songs of all time called Memphis Blues as well as Blues first hit song. -
Famous Blues Musician Willie Dixon was Born
William James Dixon was an american blues Musician, Vocalist, Songwriter, Arranger and Record Producer. He is well known as one of the most prolific songwriters of all time. -
The First Blues Recording Sung By a African-American Women
Mamie Smith and her Jazz Hounds released the song "Crazy Blues'' and this was the first recording to be sung by a black woman. -
Famous Blues Song "Ukulele Lady" was Published
American Jazz and Blues singer Lee Morse recorded the hit song "Ukulele Lady". -
The Electric Guitar Was Introduced
Eddie Durham records the first music featuring the electric guitar. The modern instrument, first developed by musician George Beauchamp and engineer Adolph Rickenbacher in the early 1930s, helped to transform the sound of the blues. -
Alan Lomax meets Muddy Waters
Alan Lomax, musicologist for the US Library of Congress, traveled to Mississippi and introduced himself to McKinley Morganfield, also known as Muddy Waters, and started to record his Delta Blues songs . -
Muddy Waters Released "I Feel Like Going Home"
This was a new version of Country Blues, but released under "I Feel Like Going Home" which managed to reach #11 on most played race records. -
Elvis Presley Debuts
Elvis Presley makes his recording debut on Sun Records with a version of Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right." -
The British Blues Group 'Cream' Released The First Double Album To Go Platinum
The first double album to go platinum is "Wheels Of Fire" and it was created from the British blues band 'Cream' whose lead vocalist is Jack Bruce, drummer is Ginger Baker, and the guitarist Eric Clapton . -
Large White Fanbase
Muddy Waters and B.B. King perform at the Fillmore East, a concert venue in New York City, to a mostly white audience. -
Ann Arbor Blues Festival
The 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival is considered by many blues musicians and fans being just as significant as Woodstock but for blues music. -
The "Year Of Blues" Is Declared
Congress declared in 2003 the "Year of the Blues," remembering the 100th anniversary of W.C. Handy's encounter with an unknown early blues man at a train station in Mississippi.