Early Blues Artists and the Music Business

A look at some of the early blues artists and how they made a living through music.

Pre-1920s: The Birth of the Blues

The early blues artists were a key part of the development of the blues genre and the music business. They were the first to develop the sound and style of the blues, and their recordings and live performances influenced the development of the music business.

The first recorded blues song: “Crazy Blues” by Mamie Smith

On August 10, 1920, in New York City, Mamie Smith made history by recording “Crazy Blues.” Accompanied by the Jazz Hounds— CharlieGreen on cornet, Broadway Banks on trombone, and Eli Riceon piano— Smith’s self-composed song became the first blues record ever cut and released to the public.

“Crazy Blues” was an instant success. In less than two months, it had sold close to a million copies, an unprecedented figure for any race record at that time. The song’s popularity launched a recording career for Smith that would span two decades and include such classics as “It’s Right Here for You (If You Don’t Get It ‘Til You’re Sorry),” “Poor Butterfly,” and her signature tune, “Downhearted Blues.”

“Crazy Blues” also signaled a new era in race relations and in the music business. Until then, white musicians had dominated the recording industry, producing records by black artists for mainly black audiences. But with “Crazy Blues,” black music was suddenly appealing to a much wider audience— both black and white—and record companies began to sit up and take notice.

The first blues artist to achieve mainstream success: W.C. Handy

W.C. Handy was born in Florence, Alabama, in 1873. A musician and bandleader, he is credited with being the first blues artist to achieve mainstream success. In 1912, he published “The Memphis Blues,” one of the first commercial blues songs. Handy went on to write a number of other popular blues songs, including “St. Louis Blues” and “Beale Street Blues.”

Handy was a major force in popularizing the blues. He helped to bring the music to a wider audience by incorporating it into his band’s performances and by publishing his songs in sheet music form. He also helped to legitimize the blues as a genre of music by presenting it in a polished and professional manner.

The success of Handy’s songs led to a boom in the recording of blues music in the 1920s. A number of other early blues artists, including Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Blind Lemon Jefferson, achieved commercial success during this time. The popularity of the blues continued to grow in the 1930s and 1940s with the rise of stars like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and BB King.

The 1920s: The Golden Age of the Blues

Between WWI and the Great Depression, the music business in America was booming. A new industry had been born with the advent of phonograph records and radio broadcasting. The music business was still in its infancy, and the artists who created the music were still learning how to navigate the industry. The 1920s was a golden age for the blues, with a number of artists finding success in the new industry.

The first million-selling blues record: “Tight Like That” by Louis Armstrong

The first million-selling blues recording was “Tight Like That” by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five, which was released in March 1928 on Okeh Records. It remained at the top of the charts for four weeks and went on to sell more than two million copies.

“Tight Like That” was a significant milestone in the history of the blues, as it was the first time that a blues song had reached such a wide audience. The success of “Tight Like That” helped to legitimize the genre and paved the way for other blues artists to find success in the mainstream music industry.

The first blues artist to be signed to a major record label: Bessie Smith

The first blues artist to be signed to a major label was Bessie Smith. She was signed by Columbia Records in 1923. Her first recording, “Downhearted Blues”, was a major hit, selling over one million copies. She went on to record over 160 songs for Columbia, including such classics as “St. Louis Blues” and “Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer”.

The 1930s: The Depression and the Decline of the Blues

The early 1930s were a difficult time for the music industry, and blues artists were no exception. The Great Depression had a major impact on the music business, and many blues artists found themselves out of work. The decline of the blues was also due in part to the rise of other genres of music, such as jazz and country.

The end of the “Golden Age” of the blues: the Great Depression

The 1930s saw the beginning of the end of the “Golden Age” of the blues. The Great Depression led to a decline in the popularity of blues music, as people could no longer afford to buy records or go to live shows. Many blues artists lost their record deals and were forced to quit the music business altogether. Some, like Robert Johnson and Son House, died young, leaving behind a small but influential body of work. Others, like Blind Lemon Jefferson and Blind Willie Johnson, continued to record and perform throughout the 1930s, but their records did not sell as well as they had in the past. By the end of the decade, the blues had become less popular than other genres such as jazz and swing.

The decline of the popularity of the blues: the rise of jazz

The 1930s were a tough decade for the blues. The effects of the Great Depression were being felt all over the country, and people just didn’t have the money to buy records or go out to see shows. Record companies were struggling, and many blues artists found themselves out of work.

The rise of jazz also had an impact on the blues. Jazz was seen as a more sophisticated style of music, and it was becoming more popular with young people. For many blues artists, it was hard to compete with the new sound of jazz.

Despite the challenges, some blues artists managed to find success in the 1930s. Artists like Robert Johnson and Son House became legends thanks to their recordings from this era. Other artists, like Blind Lemon Jefferson and Big Bill Broonzy, found work touring Europe, where the blues was still hugely popular.

The 1940s: The Bebop Era and the Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll

In the late 1940s, a new form of music called bebop or bop began to develop. This type of music was characterized by fast tempo, complex chord progressions, and improvised solos. Bebop was created by a small group of young African American musicians in New York City. They were influenced by the music of earlier blues artists, but they also wanted to create something new.

The first rock ‘n’ roll record: “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats

The first rock ‘n’ roll record is often thought to be “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets, but the truth is that the very first rock ‘n’ roll song was actually “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. The record was released in 1951, just a few years after the genre began to gain popularity.

“Rocket 88” is a fast-paced, upbeat song with a driving beat that would later become synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll. The lyrics are simple but effective, and the overall effect is one of pure energy and excitement. It’s no wonder that the song became an instant hit, topping the R&B charts and crossing over to the pop charts as well.

Though “Rock Around the Clock” may be more widely known today, it’s “Rocket 88” that truly deserves the title of first rock ‘n’ roll song.

The first rock ‘n’ roll artist to achieve mainstream success: Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley is often credited as the first rock ‘n’ roll artist to achieve mainstream success. His debut single, “That’s All Right,” was released in 1954 and quickly rose to the top of the charts, ushering in a new era of popular music. Presley’s career would continue to soar throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, with hits like “Jailhouse Rock” and “Suspicious Minds.” His influence would be felt long after his death in 1977, with many artists citing him as an inspiration.

The 1950s: The Rise of Rock ‘n’ Roll

The 1950s saw the rise of rock ‘n’ roll and the beginning of the end for the blues. Early blues artists were not able to keep up with the changes in the music business and many of them faded into obscurity. However, there were a few who were able to adapt and find success in the new era of music.

The first rock ‘n’ roll artist to be signed to a major label: Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry was the first rock ‘n’ roll artist to be signed to a major label, and his 1956 debut album, “After School Session,” is considered by many to be the first true rock ‘n’ roll album. In the early 1950s, Berry was one of the first black artists to gain a following among white teenagers, thanks in part to his innovative guitar playing. His biggest hit, “Maybellene,” topped the Billboard R&B chart for 11 weeks in 1955 and also reached No. 5 on the Billboard Pop chart.

The first rock ‘n’ roll artist to achieve mainstream success: Bill Haley

In the early 1950s, Bill Haley was the first rock ‘n’ roll artist to achieve mainstream success. His song “Rock Around the Clock” became a No. 1 hit in the United States in 1955, and the following year he starred in the film Rock Around the Clock. Haley’s success helped to break down barriers between black and white music, and he is often credited with popularizing rock ‘n’ roll.