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The start of the Blues
The emancipation proclamation in 1863 introduced sharecroppers and 'Juke Joints'. This is where African Americans would listen to music. -
Period: to
Timespan
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"Maple Leaf Rag" is published
Scott Joplin releases "Maple Leaf Rag". This is important because ragtime had a large influence on the blues. -
W. C. Handy publishes "Memphis Blues"
This song was one of the first widely accepted blues songs. -
Blues begins to surge
Mamie Smith, Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, Ralph Peer, and Blind Lemon Jefferson, establish themselves as some of the first Blues artists. -
"Race" Recording
The term "Race Recording refered to a 78-rpm phonograph record marketed to African Americans. The majority of this music was the blues. -
Recording Technology
Electrical recording technology is introduced and blues music is available for wider audience -
Charley Patton
Delta bluesman Charley Patton records his first song. -
The Great Depression
The wall street crash of 1929 sets the Great Depression into motion. This caused Record and ad sales to dive. -
End of WWI, and the Beginning of WWII
Economic growth and military mobilization allowed African Americans to promote and spread their music. -
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters creates his first recordings. -
The birth of R&B
The term "Race" Records is changed to "Rhythm and Blues" by Jerry Wexler, an editor at Billboard magazine. -
British Blues Rock
The first U.S. tour by the Rolling Stones marks the invasion of British blues rock bands -
More Diverse Crowds
Muddy Waters and B.B. King perform in New York City to mostly white audiences. -
Year of the Blues
Congress declares 2003 the "Year of the Blues". Commemorating the 100th anniversary of W.C. Handy's inspiration from an unknown bluesman at a train station in Mississippi.
