Music Blues Videos You Must See
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The best blues music videos you must see. These videos feature the best blues musicians playing live and in the studio.
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson was one of the most important musicians of the 20th century. He is often credited as the father of the blues, and his influence can be heard in the work of later artists like Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Howlin’ Wolf. Johnson only recorded a handful of songs during his career, but these songs have had a lasting impact on American music.
If you’re a fan of the blues, or just want to learn more about this important musical genre, check out these Robert Johnson videos.
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who is often credited as the “Father of Modern Chicago Blues”. His style of playing has been described as ” dripping with raw vengeance and smoldering with self-assertiveness.” He rose to popularity in the 1940s with his recordings on the Chess Records label. These songs, such as “Hoochie Coochie Man” (1954) and “I’m a Man” (1955), were hugely popular on radio stations throughout the United States. In addition to his work as a musician, Waters also appeared in several films, including The Historic Biography of Muddy Waters (1979), The Road to Memphis (2003), and Cadillac Records (2008).
B.B. King
B.B. King was one of the most influential blues musicians of all time. His style of guitar playing and songwriting influenced generations of musicians. He was a master of the blues, and his work left a lasting mark on the music world.
King was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, in 1925. He began playing guitar when he was just a child, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already performing in clubs and on radio shows. In 1946, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he began working with famed producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records. It was there that King recorded some of his most iconic songs, including “The Thrill Is Gone” and “Sweet Little Angel.”
Throughout his career, King toured relentlessly, bringing his music to fans all over the world. He continued to record and perform until his death in 2015. He is survived by his wife, Pat Loretta KING; his children Shay KING-Golladay, Claudette KING-Robinson, Barbara KING-Lewis, Willie KING, Tonya Latham-KING; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker was an American blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and lived most of his life in Detroit, Michigan. His best-known songs include “Boogie Chillen” (1948) and “Boom Boom” (1962). He also recorded several albums with the American rock band the Doors.
Elmore James
Elmore James was one of the most popular and influential blues guitarists of the 1950s and 1960s. His unique style combined elements of both electric and acoustic blues, and his slide guitar playing was highly original. James also had a major impact on rock music, particularly through his recordings with The Rolling Stones.
In this video, James performs his signature song, “Dust My Broom.” This performance is from the early 1960s, and it shows James at the peak of his powers. His playing is intense and passionate, and the energy he generates is simply astonishing. This is truly one of the great blues performances on film.
T-Bone Walker
T-Bone Walker was one of the most influential electric blues guitarists of all time. Born in 1910 in Linden, Texas, Walker got his start playing in the clubs of Dallas before moving to Los Angeles in the early 1940s. It was there that he made his first recordings and developed his signature style of guitar playing, which blended jazz and blues elements. Walker’s impact on popular music was enormous; he is credited with helping to shape the sound of rock and roll thanks to his innovative guitar work on songs like “Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad).” He died in1975, but his legacy continues to live on through the music of countless artists who have been influenced by his pioneering style.
Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, two of the most influential blues harmonica players, met in the early 1940s and soon became friends and musical partners. They played together for more than 40 years, recording dozens of albums and appearing in several films.
This video features them playing “Barter Blues,” a traditional blues song about a man trying to trade his goods for a woman’s love. It’s a beautiful performance, with both McGhee and Terry showing off their remarkable skills on the harmonica.
Howlin’ Wolf
The father of modern Chicago blues, Chester Arthur Burnett, better known as Howlin’ Wolf, was born in 1910 in White Station, Mississippi. He began playing harmonica and singing at an early age, and by the 1930s he was performing regularly in the Memphis area. In 1952, he moved to Chicago and began recording for Chess Records. His first hit, “Smokestack Lightning”, was recorded in 1956.
Howlin’ Wolf was a large man with a powerful voice and stage presence. His best-known recordings include “Spoonful”, “Little Red Rooster”, “The Natchez Burnin’ ” and “Killing Floor”. He toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe and continued to perform and record until his death in 1976.
Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon was an American blues musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is one of the most prolific songwriters of his time, penning over 500 songs, many of which have become blues standards. He is best known for his work with Chess Records in the 1950s and 1960s, where he wrote and produced songs for artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Bo Diddley. Dixon was an influential figure in the development of electric blues guitar playing. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980.
Otis Spann
Otis Spann is considered one of the last great Chicago bluesmen. He began his musical career as a young boy, playing in the street for tips. He quickly developed a reputation as a talented musician, and by the age of 20 he was touring with Muddy Waters.
Spann continued to play with Waters until 1966, when he decided to strike out on his own. He released his first solo album, The Blues Never Die!, in 1967. The record was a critical and commercial success, and it cemented Spann’s reputation as a master of the blues.
Over the next decade, Spann released several more records and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He also appeared on television and in films, including The Blues Brothers (1980).
Tragically, Spann died of cancer in 1970, at the age of just 41. But his legacy continues to live on through his music, which is as fresh and relevant today as it was when he first recorded it.