The Best of 1980s Blues Music

The Best of 1980s Blues Music is a site that covers the best blues musicians and bands from the 1980s.

The Beginnings of 1980s Blues Music

The 1980s saw the beginnings of a new era in blues music. Artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert Collins helped to bring the genre back to its roots. The era also saw the birth of a new style of blues known as “Texas blues.” This style of music was characterized by its hard-driving sound and use of slide guitar.

The Electric Blues in the 1980s

In the 1980s, electric blues saw a renewed popularity, with artists such as Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Johnny Winter achieving mainstream success. Vaughan in particular was hugely influential in bringing blues music to a new generation of fans. His 1983 album Texas Flood is widely considered one of the best blues albums of all time. Other notable electric blues albums from the 1980s include Albert Collins’ Cold Snap (1986), Buddy Guy’s Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues (1991), and Johnny Winter’s Third Degree (1986).

The Chicago Blues in the 1980s

In the early 1980s, the Chicago blues sound was revitalized by a new generation of performers. This second wave of Chicago blues adopted a more hard-edged, electric guitar-driven sound, in contrast to the more mellow, saxophone-infused style of earlier decades. The leading figures of this movement were metropolitan bluesmen like Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Koko Taylor. All three were nominated for Grammy Awards in 1983.

Buddy Guy had been a key figure in the development of the Chicago blues sound in the 1960s, with his expressive, free-flowing guitar style and his wild showmanship. In the 1980s, he continued to be a major force in the city’s music scene, opening his own club, Buddy Guy’s Legends, in 1985. The club quickly became a popular destination for both local and visiting musicians.

Junior Wells was another influential figure in the resurgence of Chicago blues in the early 1980s. A master harmonica player and vocalist, Wells was known for his dynamic stage presence and his ability to bring out the best in his bandmates. He recorded several albums during this period that showcased his versatility as a musician and helped to broaden the appeal of the Chicago blues sound beyond its traditional base.

Koko Taylor was one of the few women to achieve success as a blues performer in this era. A powerful vocalist with a commanding stage presence, Taylor was known for her traditional Blues stylings and her ability to connect with her audiences on a deep emotional level. She won a Grammy Award for her 1984 album I Got What It Takes, which helped to bring her music to a wider audience.

The 1980s Blues Musicians

There were a number of great blues musicians in the 1980s who helped to shape the genre. Musicians like B.B. King, Albert King, and Freddie King were all active in the 1980s and released some great music. If you’re a fan of the blues, then you’ll definitely want to check out some of the best 1980s blues albums.

The British Blues Musicians in the 1980s

In the 1980s, the British blues scene was dominated by a group of musicians who had come to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. The 1980s also saw the rise of a new generation of British blues musicians, including Gary Moore, Peter Green, and Johnny Winter.

The American Blues Musicians in the 1980s

In the 1980s, the American blues landscape was very different from what it is today. For one thing, there were far fewer female blues musicians than there are now. In fact, it wasn’t until the mid-’80s that Bonnie Raitt and Koko Taylor really broke through to the mainstream. Also, while there were plenty of great guitarists playing the blues in the ’80s, none of them had the widespread appeal of today’s guitar heroes like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Joe Bonamassa.

With all that said, there were still plenty of fantastic blues musicians active in the ’80s. Here are just a few of the many greats who were making music during that decade:

B.B. King: The undisputed king of the blues, B.B. King was as popular in the ’80s as he’d ever been. He continued to tour relentlessly throughout the decade, and even released a crossover hit with “The Thrill Is Gone.”

John Lee Hooker: Like B.B. King, John Lee Hooker was already a legendary figure by the time the ’80s rolled around. He continued to enjoy a successful career in the ’80s, releasing a string of well-received albums and even winning a Grammy Award in 1989.

Albert King: Albert King died in 1992, but he was still active throughout most of the ’80s. He released several albums during the decade, including his acclaimed final album, I Wanna Get Funky.

Etta James: Etta James had been making music for over 30 years by the time she released her breakthrough album Seven Year Itch in 1988. She went on to have a hugely successful career in the ’90s and 2000s before her death in 2012.
Taj Mahal: A versatile musician who could play just about any style of music, Taj Mahal had already been active for two decades by the time he released his Grammy-winning album Recycling The Blues & Other Related Stuff in 1980

The Popularity of 1980s Blues Music

The popularity of 1980s blues music can be seen in the number of artists who found success during that decade. B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Lee Hooker were all popular blues musicians during the 1980s. The popularity of the genre can also be seen in the number of Grammy Awards won by blues musicians during that decade.

The Revival of the Blues in the 1980s

In the 1980s, there was a resurgence of interest in blues music, led by a new generation of musicians who were influenced by the original blues performers. These artists brought the blues back to its roots, playing simple, stripped-down songs with a raw, emotional sound.

The popularity of 1980s blues music was bolstered by the success of movies like “The Blues Brothers” and “Crossroads,” which showcased the music’s power and appeal. The new wave of blues artists included such legends as Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, and John Lee Hooker.

Today, the legacy of 1980s blues music lives on in the work of contemporary artists like Jonny Lang and Susan Tedeschi. The genre continues to evolve, while remaining true to its roots as one of America’s most original and influential musical styles.

The Popularity of the Blues in the 1980s

In the 1980s, the blues experienced a renewed popularity thanks to a number of factors. First, the genre had been revitalized by a new generation of performers who were influenced by traditional blues but updated the sound for modern audiences. These artists included Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, and Blues Traveler. Secondly, the blues scene had been given a boost by the film The Blues Brothers, which featured actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as “Joliet” Jake and Elwood Blues. The movie’s soundtrack album became a best-seller, and its popularity led to renewed interest in the music.

Finally, the blues found a new home on radio with the advent of stations that specialized in playing the genre. This increased exposure helped to make the blues more popular than ever before.