Born from the spirituals, work songs, field hollers, and chants of enslaved African Americans in the Deep South during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, blues music is a genre that resonates with raw emotion and powerful storytelling. It has deeply influenced countless other genres, including jazz, soul, R&B, and, of course, rock and roll.
But who are the titans, the very greatest blues artists, who shaped this iconic genre? This article will explore the lives, music, and enduring legacies of some of the most influential blues musicians of all time, artists whose contributions continue to inspire musicians and captivate audiences today.
The Pioneers: Early Blues Legends
The blues wouldn’t be what it is today without the artists who first popularized the genre. Here are two essential figures who helped define the blues.
Bessie Smith: The Empress of the Blues
Bessie Smith reigned supreme during the Jazz Age of the 1920s and 30s, earning the moniker “Empress of the Blues” due to her commanding voice and stage presence. Smith could belt out a tune that could fill a theater, but she could also convey the deep emotion at the heart of the blues.
One of her signature songs, “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” tells a story of wealth and loss that’s still relevant today.
Where to start with Bessie Smith: Check out her compilation album, The Essential Bessie Smith.
Robert Johnson: The Mythical Guitarist
Robert Johnson’s recordings from 1936 and 1937 are legendary, inspiring the British Blues Revival and countless other musicians. Johnson was known for his incredible guitar skills, and a myth grew up around him that he’d sold his soul to the devil to achieve such mastery.
Johnson’s influence is still felt today, with artists like Eric Clapton and Keith Richards citing him as a major inspiration.
Where to start with Robert Johnson: His Complete Recordings is an excellent place to begin.
Chicago Blues Masters: Amplifying the Sound
When blues musicians migrated from the Mississippi Delta to Chicago, they plugged in, turned up, and transformed the genre. Here are a few of the most influential Chicago blues artists:
Howlin’ Wolf: The Voice of Raw Power
Chester Arthur Burnett, a.k.a. Howlin’ Wolf, got his start recording for Sam Phillips at Memphis Recording Service, which later became Sun Studio. He was known for his booming voice, his imposing size, and the energy he brought to his live performances.
Songs like “Killing Floor” and “Smokestack Lightning” are classics, and his nickname came from his attempts to imitate the sound of a wolf howling.
Where to start with Howlin’ Wolf: The album Moanin’ in the Moonlight is a good introduction to his work.
Muddy Waters: The Father of Modern Chicago Blues
Muddy Waters was one of the most important figures in the development of Chicago blues. He pioneered the use of the electric guitar in blues music, helping to create the sound that defined the genre.
He was an innovative and prolific songwriter, and Waters songs like “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” and “Got My Mojo Working” became blues standards.
Sam Lay, who played drums on more than 40 albums for Chess Records, was a longtime member of Waters’ band.
Where to start with Muddy Waters: His Muddy Waters at Newport album captures the excitement of his live performances.
Kings of the Blues: Guitar Gods and Vocal Virtuosos
The blues has given us some of the most talented guitarists and soulful vocalists in music history. Here are a couple of the very best.
B.B. King: The King of the Blues
B.B. King, without a doubt, is one of the most iconic and influential blues guitarists ever. He’s known for his distinctive vibrato and his expressive, emotional playing style. King reportedly played over 300 shows in 1956 alone, and kept up a rigorous touring schedule for most of his career.
If you’re just getting into B.B. King, you might want to start with the album Live in Cook County Jail for a feel for the energy he brought to his performances, or Completely Well for a taste of his more polished studio work.
John Lee Hooker: The Boogie Man
John Lee Hooker was a master of the boogie-woogie style of blues. His distinctive guitar rhythms and hypnotic vocals made him a blues legend.
One of Hooker’s best-known songs is the driving, propulsive “Boom Boom,” but if you’re looking for a good album to start with, try The Healer.
The Blues Goes Electric: Innovation and Expansion
As the blues evolved, some artists began to explore new sounds and techniques, often incorporating electric instruments and amplifying their voices to reach larger audiences.
Elmore James: The King of Slide Guitar
Elmore James, who recorded such albums as The Sky Is Crying, Dust My Broom, and Shake Your Money Maker, made a name for himself with his innovative use of slide guitar and his powerful vocals. He influenced countless rock guitarists and helped pave the way for the blues-rock genre.
Koko Taylor: Queen of the Blues
Koko Taylor’s career took off in 1964, when “Wang Dang Doodle” became a smash hit. She was known for her huge voice and her commanding stage presence. Of the nine albums Koko Taylor recorded for Alligator Records, eight were nominated for Grammy awards, a testament to her enduring influence and talent.
Blues Beyond Boundaries: Genre Bending and Revival
The blues has had a profound effect on many other genres, and in some cases, artists known for other styles owe a debt to the blues. Here are a few artists who took the blues in new and interesting directions.
Jimi Hendrix: A Blues Rock Visionary
Jimi Hendrix is arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music. He was known for his innovative and expressive guitar playing. Though he’s generally categorized as a rock musician, Hendrix’s playing was deeply rooted in the blues, and he’s known for his interpretations of classic blues standards.
His performance at Woodstock in 1969, featuring a distorted and feedback-laden rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” became one of the defining moments of the festival and was seen by many as a political statement against the Vietnam War.
Eric Clapton: The British Bluesman
Eric Clapton is a key figure in the British blues revival of the 1960s. He played with several influential bands, including the Yardbirds, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos, and is known for his blues-based guitar playing and his ability to bring the blues to a wider audience.
Lesser-Known, Yet Essential: Expanding the Canon
The artists above are some of the most influential and well-known blues musicians of all time. But the blues is a vast and varied genre, and there are many other talented artists who deserve recognition.
R.L. Burnside: Keeping it Raw
R.L. Burnside was a modern master of the North Mississippi hill country blues style. If you like your blues raw, hypnotic, and a little bit droning, Burnside might be your guy.
Son House: The Delta Blues Preacher
Son House was an influential Delta blues singer and guitarist who brought an intense, spiritual element to his performances.
Closing Thoughts
The blues is more than a musical genre; it’s a living history, a testament to resilience, and a wellspring of inspiration that continues to nourish musicians across countless genres.
The artists we’ve explored here—from Robert Johnson to Bessie Smith to Muddy Waters—represent just a fraction of the monumental talent that has shaped the blues. Their music, and the music of countless others, lays the foundation for much of the popular music we enjoy today.
If you’re new to the blues, or if you’re a longtime fan, I encourage you to delve deeper into its rich history and discover the diversity within this uniquely American art form.