Which of These Artists is Associated with Blues Music?

We take a look at some of the artists who are commonly associated with the blues, and explore how they have helped to shape the genre.

Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson was an American musician who is considered one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time. He is credited with creating the Delta blues style and was one of the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who is often cited as the “father of modern Chicago blues”, and an important figure on the post-war blues scene. His style of playing was influenced by the earlier Delta blues guitarists, such as Robert Johnson and Charley Patton, as well as by country guitarists like Hank Williams and Django Reinhardt. He recorded several Grammy-winning albums, including Hard Again (1977), released by Chess Records, and Electric Mud (1968).

B.B. King

B.B. King was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, and his career spanned more than fifty years. King was born in Mississippi in 1925, and he began playing the guitar when he was just a young boy. He became a professional musician in the 1940s, and he soon developed a style that would come to be known as “Mississippi Blues.”

King’s biggest hit was “The Thrill Is Gone,” which was released in 1969. He continued to tour and record until his death in 2015.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker was a popular and influential blues singer and guitarist. He was born in Mississippi in 1917 and began playing the guitar when he was a teenager. He eventually moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he became involved in the city’s vibrant music scene. Hooker’s energetic style of guitar playing and his distinctive vocals made him one of the most popular blues artists of the 1940s and 1950s. He continued to perform and record until his death in 2001.

Willie Dixon

Willie Dixon was an American blues artist, songwriter, bassist and producer. His songs “Hoochie Coochie Man”, “I Can’t Quit You Baby” and “Little Red Rooster”, were some of his most popular works and have been covered by artists such as Muddy Waters, Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones. Dixon was an influential figure in the development of the Chicago blues sound and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980.

Howlin’ Wolf

The Howlin’ Wolf is one of the most popular songs associated with blues music. It was written by Chester Burnett, better known as Howlin’ Wolf. The song is a slow, twelve-bar blues that tells the story of a man who is down on his luck and trying to make his way in the world. The song is often seen as a symbol of the hard life that many blues musicians had to live.

Lightnin’ Hopkins

Lightnin’ Hopkins is a well-known blues artist. He was born in 1912 in Centerville, Texas. He was influenced by the blues music of Blind Lemon Jefferson and T-Bone Walker. Hopkins began his career playing at house parties and other small venues in the Houston area. He recorded his first album in 1946, and he continued to record and perform until his death in 1982.

T-Bone Walker

T-Bone Walker was born in Linden, Texas in 1910. One of the most influential blues guitarists of all time, Walker was nicknamed “The Boss of the Blues” and was a pioneer in the development of electric blues guitar. He popularized many guitar techniques that are now commonplace in blues and rock music, including slide guitar and the use of guitar amplifier distortion. Walker was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1983.

Sonny Boy Williamson

Sonny Boy Williamson is one of the most famous and important blues musicians of all time. He was born in Mississippi in 1899 and began playing music at a young age. He learned to play the Harmonica and soon developed his own style of playing. He became well-known for his unique sound and was invited to play with many famous blues musicians, including Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. He recorded hundreds of songs during his career, many of which are now considered classics.

Elmore James

Elmore James was a popular and influential blues singer, songwriter and guitarist who was active from the 1940s to the 1960s. He is known for his powerful guitar playing and his distinctive “shouting” vocal style. His best-known songs include “Dust My Broom,” “It Hurts Me Too” and “The Sky Is Crying.”