5 Soul Blues Music Artists You Need to Know

Check out this list of 5 soul blues music artists that you need to know. From contemporary to classic, these artists have something for everyone.

Introduction

The blues is a genre of music that has its roots in African American culture. It is characterized by its use of the blue note, which gives the music its distinctive sound. The blues has been a major influence on other genres of music, such as jazz and rock & roll. In recent years, the popularity of the blues has been on the rise, and there are many talented artists who are keeping the tradition alive. Here are five soul blues music artists you need to know.

Bobby Bland

Bobby “Blue” Bland was an African American blues singer. He was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Bland’s music was influenced by both the blues and gospel music he heard as a child. He is remembered for his smooth, melodic vocals and his ability to cross over into different genres of music. Bland had several hits throughout his career, including “Turn On Your Love Light,” “Stormy Monday Blues,” and “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City.”

B.B. King

B.B. King was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. King was known for singing, “The Thrill Is Gone,” which became one of his signature songs. He was also known for his string of hits recorded with Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, including “Lonely Knows My Name,” “Don’t Answer the Door,” and “Sweet Little Angel.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker was a giant of the blues who developed his own style that was heavily influenced by the country blues he heard growing up in Mississippi. He moved to Detroit in the 1940s and had a string of hits in the 1950s with songs like “Boom Boom” and “I’m Bad Like Jesse James.” Hooker’s distinctive guitar style and gravelly voice have been hugely influential, and he is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the blues.

Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters was an American blues musician who is often cited as the “father of modern Chicago blues”. His style of playing has been tremendously influential to the development of the electric guitar and songwriting in the genre of blues. He was born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi in 1915 and moved to Chicago in 1943. In his years there, he recorded some of his most famous songs including “Hoochie Coochie Man” and “Mannish Boy”. He died in 1983 but his music and legacy continues to inspire musicians today.