The genesis of most popular musical styles can be traced back
to the "blues." Developed from an outgrowth of the early African-American
experience, its earliest influences shaped the roots of American music ranging
from gospel choirs and bar room singers in the deep South, to early jazz, R&B,
rock and roll, and pop styles of today. Blues, passed down from generation to
generation through an "oral" tradition, originally acted as a functional music
offering African-Americans a vehicle to convey their daily experiences. Early
forms of the blues include the "field holler," which allowed laborers in the
fields to keep in contact with each other, while the "ring shout" was used for
dancing. W.C. Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues," published his "Memphis
Blues" in 1912, becoming the first song to include "blues" in the title. Handy
went on to write other blues classics including "Beale Street Blues," "Yellow
Dog Blues," and "St. Louis Blues." Blues gained commercial success in 1920 when
vocalist Mamie Smith's recording of "The Crazy Blues" became an instant
sensation. Another Smith — Bessie — (not related) was proclaimed the "Empress of
the Blues" based on the prowess of her first recordings in 1923, which
contributed some of the lasting masterpieces of the first blues craze. In the
late 1920s and '30s, Lonnie Johnson became the first modern blues guitarist. His
playing influenced the Delta Blues style of Robert Johnson, as well as T-Bone
Walker, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and B.B. King. Additionally, his work with
jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, as well as his duet recordings
with guitarist Eddie Lang, influenced the jazz style of guitarists including
Charlie Christian. Emerging during the 1940s, "jump blues" incorporated the
upbeat boogie-woogie piano style, clever lyrics, and punchy horn riffs derived
from the big band era. Artists like saxophonist and vocalist Louis Jordan
broadened the popular appeal of the blues. Adding an emphasis on the vocal lead,
jump blues eventually developed into the "rhythm and blues" (R&B) of the 1950s,
which influenced the "rock and roll" style of Chuck Berry and Bill Haley. By the
'60s, with its infusion of gospel roots, R&B developed into "soul" music with
groups including James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. The 1950s and '60s
spawned the popularity of Chicago Blues with artists including Muddy Waters,
Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, and Willie Dixon. Guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Eric
Clapton fused the blues style with 1960s rock music, influencing future
generations of pop and blues artists. Pivotal blues artists in the 1980s and
'90s include Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray, Lucky Peterson, Robben Ford, Dr.
John, Mighty Mo Rodgers, and Joe Louis Walker.
