Blues: The Arts

These artists' early work influenced generations of blues artists to follow. If you're a newcomer to the blues, this is the place to start.
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Her vocal prowess matches her charisma as a performer. At the age of 19, Copeland released her debut album, inspiring comparisons to blues legends Etta James and Koko Taylor. By Copeland had released two more albums to critical acclaim, and won three of the blues' prestigious W. She has worked with Ruth Brown, one of her original influences, as well as Dr.

February 25, , Toccoa, Georgia Died: November 10, , Knoxville, Tennessee Also known as: Ida Prather Ida Cox was one of the great s blues singers. She began her career as a teenager, traveling throughout the south as a singer with tent and vaudeville shows. She was a prolific and popular recording artist throughout the s who wrote many of her own songs, one of which is the well-known "Wild Women Don't Have the Blues.

Cox's career was active throughout the s, when health problems reportedly forced her into retirement, although she did manage an additional recording session in the early s. Cream Eric Clapton, born March 30, , Ripley, England; Ginger Baker, born August 19, , Lewisham, England; Jack Bruce, born May 14, , Lanarkshire, Scotland Cream combined the superb musicianship of bassist Jack Bruce, drummer Ginger Baker, and guitarist Eric Clapton, and became a powerhouse of blues-rock that had an enormous influence on the future of rock and heavy metal.

They were all groundbreaking musicians known for their innovative, aggressive styles, and when they played together as a band they inspired one another to new heights of brilliance. They brought to the blues a jazz-inspired flair for improvisation, and although they were sometimes criticized for their seemingly endless jam sessions, at their best their competitive instrumental assaults showcased their unique gifts.

Eric Clapton raised the blues guitar solo to a high art form; Jack Bruce's fervent and often melodic bass playing could pass for a second lead guitar; and rock had never seen the likes of Ginger Baker's percussive mastery and it's possible that no one has matched him to this day. The trio covered blues classics from legends such as Albert King, Skip James, and Willie Dixon in addition to original material, and in the process introduced the blues to a new audience and broke ground for subsequent heavy blues-rock bands such as Led Zeppelin.

Cream formed in and broke up in All of their releases are classics. December 30, , McComb, Mississippi Also known as: He also studied classical music in his youth, but turned to blues after he was introduced to the music of John Lee Hooker. Reportedly it was Hooker's classic "Boogie Chillen" that had such a dramatic impact. Diddley's music is definitely blues-based, however he has had a more profound impact on rock and roll, especially through the beat he's known for, which became foundational in the genre.

He influenced the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, among many others, with his particularly lighthearted, rhythm-based brand of blues. Many of his songs are blues and rock and roll classics. Diddley further influenced rock and roll with his design of a square guitar, one of his trademarks.

He continues to tour and record. July 1, , Vicksburg, Mississippi Died: January 29, , Burbank, California Willie Dixon is best known for his songwriting prowess, although his influence on the blues includes his superb work as a producer, arranger, session musician and performer. Dixon began performing in Chicago in the late s; his career was interrupted briefly in the early s when he was jailed for refusing the draft as a conscientious objector.

He later worked for the blues label Chess, where his songwriting gave a significant boost to the careers of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and others. Howlin' Wolf had such success with his rendition of Dixon's tunes that for years they were his primary recording and performance efforts. As a mentor to vocalist Koko Taylor, Dixon had her record "Wang Dang Doodle," which became a huge hit and is still her signature classic.

Rhythm and blues

Later in his life Dixon had to fight to reap the financial rewards of his art and subsequently worked on behalf of other artists to assist them in securing publishing royalties. He influenced not only his contemporaries, but countless blues and rock and roll artists, including Led Zeppelin, the Doors and Cream. His body of work as a songwriter boasts many blues standards and rock and roll classics. February 26, , New Orleans, Louisiana Also known as: Antoine Domino Fats Domino began performing at the age of He made rhythm and blues music palatable to a wider audience, as his style represented the calmer edge of the spectrum, in contrast to incendiary rock artists such as Little Richard.

As a performer his shy charm and warm grin reflected the mood of his music. Domino's wide popularity helped black music reach a white audience. Most of his numerous hits have become classics. November 21, , New Orleans Also known as: Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr. John combines the roots of New Orleans blues with jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, pop and rock, infused with his sense of humor and particularly original and inventive artistic sensibility. John became a session musician, where he worked with such local legends as Allen Toussaint and Professor Longhair.

He eventually moved to Los Angeles and continued doing session work. That first release, Gris Gris , along with a later release, Gumbo , are two examples of his finest work, although an even later album contained his chart hit "Right Place, Wrong Time.


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John is a charismatic performer who in his heyday outfitted himself in Mardi Gras regalia as a witch doctor of sorts to perform a show that was part theatric ritual. He has collaborated with many notable artists and is an accomplished producer and arranger. He continues to record, perform and work as a highly respected producer.

He created a shuffle rhythm on piano known as "Rosco's rhythm" that influenced blues, and, in the opinion of some historians, also inspired the creation of the distinctive rhythm of Jamaican ska, itself a precursor of reggae.

Blues Rock Artists

That same year he had another hit with "No More Doggin'. Like many bluesmen he took an extended hiatus from music to earn an alternative living, but later in his life he began performing again, and continued to do so until his death in July 30, , Lettsworth, Louisiana Also known as: George Guy Buddy Guy's name has become synonymous with Chicago blues.

A dramatic, buoyantly joyful performer with a voice that can be at once smooth and gritty, Guy is also an esteemed guitarist. Guy's style of playing was heavily influenced by B. King, to whom he is often compared. Early in his career he worked with many of Chicago's blues legends as a session player for Chess records and teamed up with harmonica player Junior Wells; the two were a popular duo in the city for many years. Guy was more popular as a live act than as a recording artist until he teamed up with Eric Clapton in the early s, which precipitated a successful and enduring comeback.

In Chicago he is known as the King of the Blues. His talent and influence, his long history with the city's blues greats and his successful local blues club "Legends," contribute to his own legend. November 16, , Muscle Shoals, Alabama Died: William Christopher Handy W. Handy is widely recognized by his self-proclaimed moniker, "Father of the Blues" due to his steadfast and pioneering efforts to document, write and publish blues music and his life-long support of the genre.

Although much of his musical taste leaned toward a more sophisticated and polished sound, Handy was among the first to recognize the value of the blues, and Southern black music in general, as an important American legacy. Handy was an accomplished bandleader and songwriter who performed throughout the South before continuing his career in New York. He came across the Delta blues in the late s, and his composition "Memphis Blues," published in , was the first to include "blues" in the title. Some historians don't consider "Memphis Blues" to be an actual blues song, however it did influence the creation of other blues tunes, including the historic "Crazy Blues," which is commonly known as the first blues song to ever be recorded by Mamie Smith in A Memphis park was named after Handy in recognition of his contribution to blues and the Blues Foundation recognizes the genre's achievements annually with the prestigious W.

Since then he has incorporated the influence of rich musical traditions from New Orleans to Africa to the Caribbean, all while maintaining his reputation as a first-class performer and recording artist. Harris learned how to play the guitar when he was 12, and was originally inspired by Texas blues legend Lightnin' Hopkins. As a student he traveled to Africa and later moved to New Orleans where he performed on the streets before signing a recording contract. Alvin Youngblood Hart Born: March 2, , Oakland, California Alvin Youngblood Hart is a contemporary bluesman whose original music and cover interpretations are infused with a pure Delta blues influence.

A native of California, Hart's family roots are in Mississippi, and he grew up visiting the area annually, falling in love with the rural lifestyle and hearing stories of blues patriarch Charley Patton. The influences of legendary bluesmen such as Bukka White, Son House, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters can be heard in Hart's many classic interpretations of blues standards as well as his original material.

King as well as formidable vocalists Jimmy Witherspoon and Jimmy Reed. While living in California as a teenager, Hart taught himself to play guitar and spent a lot of time immersed in the Delta blues and its history. Ironically, his performance career began when he just happened to be stationed in Natchez, Mississippi as a member of the Coast Guard.

He eventually began playing gigs in California, and ended up with a record deal after a stint opening for Taj Mahal brought him wider visibility. In Youngblood won the W.

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Handy award for Best New Artist. November 27, , Seattle, Washington Died: September 18, , London, England Seattle-born lead guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Jimi Hendrix created an amazing body of work during his short career, changing the face of music forever through his revolutionary guitar playing and recordings.

Although he is often perceived as a rock and roll icon, his roots lie in the blues. As he once recalled: I heard one of his old records when I was a little boy and it scared me to death, because I heard all of these sounds. Wow, what is that all about? Upon setting out on his own, he settled first in New York, then relocated to London. By late he was a sensation in Europe, and in the U. Hendrix became the Aquarian Age avatar of the no-holds-barred African-American showbiz tradition, and the blues were rarely far from the surface of his work.

His career and creative trajectory took him to ever greater heights until his passing in Today, his legend continues to grow, and his example continues to inspire new generations of musicians. April 7, , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Died: Holiday's life was fraught with difficulty, which may be why she was able to sing the blues so convincingly.

A huge part of her appeal was her ability to convey the meaning of the lyrics, giving the impression that she had lived her material. Among her many classic recordings are the disturbingly evocative "Strange Fruit," which controversially addressed the violence of racism, and her own composition "God Bless the Child. John Lee Hooker Born: August 22, , Clarksdale, Mississippi Died: August 21, , Los Altos, California John Lee Hooker was a master of "boogie" with haunting, sensuously compelling signature vocals and the ability to create a whole world of sound from a single, repetitive chord.

His unique, original style hugely influenced other blues artists and especially rock and roll. Early on he was influenced by gospel and Delta blues. He learned to play guitar from his stepfather, who reportedly knew blues legend Charley Patton. In he moved to Detroit, where his sound was a welcome and complete change from the slicker post-war blues. For the next four decades Hooker continued to work with his signature style, performing and recording, and his devotion to his craft never faded, even when his popularity did.

The respect he'd long garnered from the blues and rock community was evident in his comeback release The Healer , which featured a roll call of prestigious names from both genres. As he aged he was known as a living blues legend, and he continued to perform, even when he had to be slowly escorted to the stage. March 15, , Centerville, Texas Died: January 30, , Houston, Texas Also known as: Like Walker, Hopkins met Jefferson when he was just a boy and was forever influenced by his exposure to the musician.

Hopkins's original brand of blues was characterized by an unusual sense of rhythm and loose sense of structure. His many moods and personality nuances came through in his ever-changing performance and diverse repertoire. He was a talented songwriter, known for his ability to create lyrics on the spot, and he hardly ever played a song with the exact same lyrics twice. Hopkins played and recorded primarily in Texas throughout most of his career until, as one of the many blues greats who benefited from the blues revival of the s, he was kept busy touring and performing at festivals.

He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in , two years before his death. March 21, , Riverton, Mississippi Died: October 19, , Detroit, Michigan Also known as: Eddie James House, Jr. Son House was originally a preacher, and he brought the fiery intensity of Baptist gospel to his interpretation of Delta blues. A powerfully emotional performer, his presence onstage was riveting and almost frightening in its ability to move the listener.

He was influenced by and often played with blues greats Charley Patton and Willie Brown, yet his style remained distinctly his own. He is credited as the primary influence on blues legends Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters as well as Bonnie Raitt and many others. House disappeared from the blues scene from the early s through the mids, until researchers tracked him down, whereupon he began a second career as a respected performer.

His past association with Patton and Johnson, as well as his own legendary skill, made him particularly valuable and respected as a living record of blues history. As music critic Cub Koda put it, "Hailed as the greatest living Delta singer still actively performing, nobody dared call themselves the king of the blues as long as Son House was around. June 10, , West Point, Mississippi Died: January 10, , Hines, Illinois Also known as: Chester Arthur Burnett Howlin' Wolf was inspired by the passionate showmanship of legends Charley Patton and Tommy Johnson, but he took it to the next level.

More than just a great showman, "the howler" was an almost transcendent performer, losing himself in the power of the music and letting it flow uninhibitedly through his voice. Wolf was a hero of many equally gritty rock and rollers, including the Rolling Stones. Like many Mississippi bluesmen, Wolf saw his career take off in Chicago, where to this day he is an enduring and beloved part of the city's history. Mississippi John Hurt Born: July 3, , Teoc, Mississippi Died: November 2, , Grenada, Mississippi Also known as: John Smith Hurt Mississippi John Hurt brought unprecedented warmth to the blues, characterized by his gentle, gracious presence as a performer and the tenderness and depth of his songwriting.

Hurt mastered a form of finger picking on the guitar that significantly influenced generations of blues, folk and rock musicians. From the time he was 14, Hurt performed locally in and near his tiny hometown while making his living as a farm laborer. Like other Mississippi masters, he was tracked down later in life by a blues fan and scholar and introduced to the burgeoning blues revival of the mids. During the last three years of his life, to his surprise and delight, he was accepted with open arms by thousands of fans and subsequently made his living as a performer. He has influenced the musicianship and songwriting of blues, folk and rock and his musical descendants include Taj Mahal, Ben Harper, Bob Dylan and many others.

June 27, , Richland, Mississippi Died: May 24, , Chicago, Illinois Elmore James was a master of slide guitar, and has influenced just about everyone who has ever picked up a slide. His powerful vocals would naturally and dramatically crack and catch, giving authenticity to his sound. His style as a vocalist and guitarist were heavily influenced by Robert Johnson, and his reworking of Johnson's original " I Believe I'll Dust My Broom" became a signature hit for him under the shortened title "Dust My Broom". Like his contemporary Muddy Waters, James brought his version of Delta blues to Chicago, where his amazing band, the Broomdusters, added to the city's superb music scene.

James has influenced blues and rock and roll musicians, from B. June 21, , Bentonia, Mississippi Died: October 3, , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Also known as: Nehemiah Curtis James Skip James is known for his unique, haunting style of blues. He combined falsetto vocals with minor chords, complex finger picking, an idiosyncratic tuning, and a highly personal style of songwriting to create some of the genre's most original music.

James was one of Robert Johnson's biggest influences; his original song "Devil Got My Woman" was reworked by Johnson and became the latter's signature hit "Hellhound on my Trail". Like many of his contemporaries of the early Delta blues scene, he turned to another means of livelihood, becoming a preacher at the age of 30 and turning his musical attention to gospel.

By chance James was rediscovered during the early s, and subsequently thrilled blues fans at the Newport Folk Festival, thereby re-launching his career. It was obvious that his musical skills were still as sharp as ever and his unique style was intact.

Best Blues Artists of All Time | List of Top Blues Singers

Blind Lemon Jefferson Born: July , Couchman, Texas Died: December, , Chicago, Illinois Also known as: Bates Blind Lemon Jefferson was a groundbreaking artist on many levels, and is the undisputed father of Texas blues. Walker, in fact, knew Jefferson and was directly influenced by him. Even early in his career Jefferson's remarkable talent was evident. He built a fan base playing on the streets of Dallas, and was able to provide for his family on those earnings. He recorded close to songs within only four years, and his commercial success broke ground for male blues singers in an era where the genre was dominated by women, such as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith.

As a talented songwriter he shifted the common practice of blues vocalists primarily performing songs written by others. His original material includes many blues classics. Blind Willie Johnson Born: His passionate performance style featured powerful, rough vocals designed to reach the masses from Texas street corners.

Blue's Clues Arts & Crafts Credits (Colleen Ford Version 3)

Johnson was a talented songwriter as well as a superb slide guitarist. He would pick the melody while accompanying himself with a bass line he'd play with his thumb, and he reportedly played slide with a pocketknife rather than the customary bottleneck. During the s Johnson did some recording for Columbia.

A number of his songs became classics, and have been covered by many artists, including Eric Clapton, Peter, Paul and Mary and Ry Cooder. May 8, , Hazelhurst, Mississippi Died: August 28, , Greenwood, Mississippi A young Robert Johnson hung around the Saturday night dances in the Delta watching Son House, Willie Brown and Charley Patton play and, to their amusement, trying to play guitar during the breaks. Years later Johnson ran into House and Brown, and Johnson's skill on the instrument stunned them.

His tortured voice and emotional intensity seemed to give credence to the legend, although it is more likely that his own determination and inherent talent, as well as his exposure to the great Delta bluesmen, deserve the credit for his genius. In addition to being a gifted lyricist and composer and innovative guitarist, Johnson transferred "boogie woogie" from the piano to the guitar, playing the bottom guitar strings to accompany himself with a bass line, a technique that has become standard in blues composition. November 1, , Crystal Springs, Mississippi Tommy Johnson was a hell-raiser who could belt out the blues with a wide vocal range, from a low throaty snarl to a high falsetto.

He had a dramatic flair in performance similar to his contemporary, Delta blues king Charley Patton, and in the early, pre-Robert Johnson days his influence on the genre was second only to that of Patton and Son House. He was not a virtuoso on the guitar, but had an original, evocative style, well-matched to his theatrical delivery. Johnson was also the quintessential blues bad boy, with a penchant for rampant womanizing and for alcohol, the latter of which led him to drastic extremes.

He was known to down denatured alcohol, used for artificial heat, when the real thing wasn't available, a habit he documented in his original song "Canned Heat," from which the s blues-rock group took its name. British rock musicians in the s, especially the Rolling Stones,…. He fashioned his lyrics to appeal to the growing teenage market by presenting vivid and humorous descriptions of high-school life, teen dances, and consumer culture. His recordings serve as a rich repository of the core lyrical and musical building blocks….

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