I walk by young men playing basketball with blues music blaring. According to the National Blues Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, from the 1500s to the mid-1800s, millions of Africans were enslaved and brought from West Africa to America, bringing with them musical and cultural traditions. It was on the plantations throughout the American South that these musical and cultural traditions would lay the foundations for early blues music.
In 1865, the 13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery. But, in the 1800s, Jim Crow laws mandated state-sanctioned segregation of the races throughout the southern United States. In effect until 1964 with the passage of the Civil Rights Act, these laws prevented African Americans from living in white neighborhoods, attending white schools, working the same jobs as whites, eating at white restaurants or even using the same restrooms as white people. Jim Crow (a black minstrel character) laws further created a second-class citizenship for African Americans, putting their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness in jeopardy. Many were beaten, imprisoned and lynched, often suffering unspeakable daily turmoil. The economic, physical and emotional strife caused by these laws provided inspiration for much of the lyrical content found in early blues music.
In March 1903 while traveling in Mississippi, W.C. Handy first sees a guitarist playing early blues music at a train station.
According to Wikipedia, the Great Migration — sometimes known as the Great Northward Migration or the Black Migration — was the movement of 6 million African Americans out of the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest and West that occurred between 1916 and 1970. It was caused primarily by the poor economic conditions as well as the prevalent racial segregation and discrimination in the Southern states where Jim Crow laws were upheld.
In 1991, Nicholas Lemann, Pulitzer Professor of Journalism and Dean Emeritus of the Faculty of Journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, wrote:
The Great Migration was one of the largest and most rapid mass internal movements in
history — perhaps the greatest not caused by the immediate threat of execution or
starvation. In sheer numbers, it outranks the migration of any other ethnic group —
Italians or Irish or Jews or Poles — to [the United States]. For blacks, the migration
meant leaving what had always been their economic and social base in America and
finding a new one.
Per the National Blues Museum, this mass movement of African Americans helped spread the blues from the Mississippi Delta to other regions of the United States like St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City and Detroit.
In 1912, “Baby Seals Blues”— written and composed by Baby F. Seals — is published. It is the first time the word “blues” is used in print to describe a style of music.
In 1914, the song “St. Louis Blues” — written and composed by W.C. Handy — is published. Commonly referred to as the “Father of the Blues”, he was inspired to write the song sometime in 1892 or 1893 after hearing a woman distress about hard times between her and her husband. The song has been played and recorded by hundreds of artists over the years and is often referred to as the “jazzman’s Hamlet.” Two versions of the song — one by Bessie Smith and the other by Louis Armstrong — have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In 1920, “Crazy Blues” by Mamie Smith becomes the first recording by an African American vocalist. It sells over a million copies in the first year, putting blues music on the map. The blues explosion that followed helped propel the careers of Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and many others. The success of the song led to the creation of a new category of music, known as “race” music. “Race” music was used to describe African American music and its legacy can be found in other musical genres including soul, rhythm & blues, rap and hip hop. “Crazy Blues” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994.
In 1923 Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith make their recording debut. Ma Rainey — known for her strong vocals and energy — was often billed as the “Mother of the Blues” and was among the earliest blues recording artists. Bessie Smith would go on to become the most popular female blues singer in the 1920s and 1930s, earning the moniker “Empress of the Blues.”
In 1925 Victor and Columbia Records begin issuing the first discs of music recorded electrically with a microphone. This innovation made music easier to record and made it possible to listen to music recordings at home which furthered the spread and popularity of blues music, as well as other forms of popular music.
According to Wikipedia, few artists had recorded solo voice and blues guitar prior to Blind Lemon Jefferson. He did what few had ever done before him, becoming a successful solo guitarist and male vocalist in the commercial recording world. Unlike many artists who were "discovered" and recorded in their normal venues, Jefferson was taken to Chicago in December 1925 or January 1926 to record his first tracks. Jefferson's music is uninhibited and represents the classic sounds of everyday life from a honky-tonk to a country picnic, to street corner blues, to work in the burgeoning oil fields — a reflection of his interest in mechanical objects and processes. The youngest of seven and born blind to sharecroppers near Coutchman, Texas, he has been called the "Father of the Texas Blues."
Per the National Blues Museum, in 1930 the earliest electric guitars are designed and produced. Early electric guitars were most commonly played by jazz guitarists in big bands who needed to amplify their sound to be heard among the other, louder instruments. The electric guitar would go on to become one of the cornerstones of electric blues music.
In 1932 the first records by Bluebird Records — a subsidiary of RCA Victor — were released. It released primarily jazz and blues records. Notable Bluebird artists include Big Bill Broonzy, Roosevelt Sykes, Sonny Boy Williamson and Tampa Red. The first three — along with Washboard Sam — would make up the Bluebird session band that would ultimately be responsible for the “Bluebird Sound” that was a major influence on rhythm & blues and early rock ‘n roll.
In 1933 American teacher and folklorist John Lomax and his son Alan begin traveling across the southern United States to record and catalog American folk music for the Library of Congress. Many of his recordings were done in fields, barns or prisons and would be the first and only time many of these artists were recorded. Others — like Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter — would go on to find success. These recordings were some of the first to record the raw sounds being played throughout the Mississippi Delta.
In 1941 Muddy Waters makes his first recordings. Recorded by Alan Lomax on behalf of the Library of Congress, these early recordings were conducted in the middle of Muddy Waters’ house in Stovall, Mississippi. Born McKinley Morganfield in Issaquena County, Mississippi, in 1914 or 1915, Muddy Waters would go on to become one of the most influential blues artists.
On Nov. 21, 1941, the King Biscuit Time radio show debuted on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas with performances by Sonny Boy Williamson II and Robert Lockwood Jr. At the time, it was the only radio show featuring African American music. KFFA reached a wide audience throughout the Mississippi delta. The success of King Biscuit Time would pave the way for other African American radio stations and programming. King Biscuit Time is still broadcast daily on KFFA in Helena.
In 1943 hoping to find success as a musician, Muddy Waters leaves Mississippi for Chicago. While in Chicago, Waters goes electric helping to create the Chicago blues sound. Largely centered around electric guitar, the electric sound of Chicago blues would serve as a major influence for many artists to follow including the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.
In 1948 after the success of King Biscuit Time in Arkansas, WDIA in Memphis, Tennessee, debuts the Tan Town Jubilee. WDIA is the first radio station with an all African American staff. It is also the first radio station to feature only programming intended for African American audiences. B.B. King got his start early on as a deejay for WDIA.
In 1949 Billboard creates a “rhythm & blues” category, thus creating the term “rhythm & blues” to describe music. Rhythm & blues — or R&B — replaced “race” music as a term used to describe music made by African Americans. Early on, R&B was primarily used to describe jazz and blues, but the term would later go on to include gospel, soul and funk music.
In 1950 Phil and Leonard Chess establish Chess Records in Chicago. Specializing in blues records, it was instrumental in spreading electric Chicago blues across the country. Notable artists include Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, and Little Walter among many others.
In 1951 “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats is released and reaches No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats was actually a pseudonym for Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm. Essentially a sped-up blues song, “Rocket 88” is considered by many to be the first rock ‘n roll song.
In 1952 “Three O’Clock Blues” — written by Lowell Fulson in 1946 — was recorded and released by B.B. King for RPM Records. It spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B charts and was B.B. King’s first hit. “Three O’Clock Blues” introduced B.B. King to a national audience, propelling his career as “King of the Blues.”
In 1954 Elvis Presley released his first record, “That’s All Right.” Released by Sun Studios, it was a 1946 blues song by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. Presley and his sped-up version of the song soared in popularity and helped introduced the blues to a wider white audience.
In 1955 Chuck Berry recorded and released “Maybelline” on Chess Records. It is his first commercial release. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Pop chart. It is one of the first songs to gain widespread popularity with both white and black audiences. Much like “Rocket 88,” “Maybelline” is essentially a sped-up blues song and is also considered by many to be the first rock ‘n roll song.
In the early 1960s the blues begins reaching larger audiences leading to the creation of blues festivals throughout the country. These blues festivals brought white and black audiences together and brought greater exposure to many blues artists by introducing them to younger audiences.
In 1961 Columbia Records released King of the Delta Blues Singers comprised of recordings made by Robert Johnson in 1936. In the mid-1960s, the album would reach England and make a lasting impression on British musicians. His songs have been recorded by artists such as the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Led Zeppelin. Due to these recordings, Robert Johnson is considered one of the biggest blues influences on rock ‘n roll.
On July 12, 1962, the Rolling Stones play their first concert at the Marquee Club in London. The Rolling Stones, along with other British bands during the 1960s, are often credited with reintroducing blues music to America. They will go on to become one of the most popular bands in the world and credit the blues as their biggest influence. The band even got their name from the Muddy Waters song “Rollin’ Stone.”
In 1964 “Little Red Rooster” — a song originally recorded by Howlin’ Wolf — is released by the Rolling Stones. It reaches No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. To this day, it is the only blues song to do so.
In the 1970s a new generation of singer-songwriters merge country influences with the blues to create “outlaw country,” a genre made popular by Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr. and Willie Nelson.
“Southern rock” emerges as a popular genre of music. Much like “outlaw country,” “Southern rock” combines blues influences with country as well as rock ‘n roll. Pioneers in this genre include Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band.
In 1971 Bruce Iglauer establishes Alligator Records in Chicago, providing a record label for many blues artists who had either declined in popularity or were cut from other labels. It also launches the careers of many second- and third-generation blues stars. Since 1971, Alligator Records has released albums by Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Koko Taylor and Shemekia Copeland.
In 1980 the Blues Foundation is established. With its headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, it is a nonprofit affiliated with roughly 200 blues societies throughout the world. It establishes the Blues Hall of Fame and inducts its first class of inductees including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King and Robert Johnson. Initially, it didn’t occupy a physical building until the Blues Hall of Fame Museum was opened in Memphis in 2015.
In 1983 Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble released their first album, Texas Flood. Born in Texas, Stevie Ray Vaughan helped lead somewhat of a blues revival in the 1980s. He was and still is considered by many to be the best blues guitar player of all time. He enjoyed great success until his untimely death in a helicopter crash in 1990.
In 1986 the first class of inductees are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame including artists Chuck Berry, James Brown, and Ray Charles. Legendary blues singer and guitarist Robert Johnson was inducted under the category of “Early Influence.” The obvious influence of the blues on the first class of inductees speaks to the influence of the blues on the entire genre of rock ‘n roll and popular music.
In 1990 Robert Johnson’s recordings from 1936 and 1937 are released on CD. The album was certified gold in the first year and to date has sold over a million copies.
In 2006 President George W. Bush awarded B.B. King the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to American culture. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest award given to civilians by the United States government.
In 2012 President Barack Obama honors the impact of the blues on American culture by hosting Red, White, and Blues at the White House. The concert featured performances from Mick Jagger, B.B. King and Buddy Guy. President Obama himself even joined B.B. King for a verse of the Robert Johnson song “Sweet Home Chicago.”
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