B.B. King
Birth: September 16, 1925, Itta Bena, Mississippi, USA
Death: May 14, 2015, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Genres: Blues
Notable Songs: The Thrill Is Gone, Every Day I Have the Blues, Sweet Sixteen
Albums: Live at the Regal, Completely Well, Blues is King
Record Labels: RPM, Kent, ABC, MCA
Achievements: 15 Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1987
Description: Riley B. King, widely known as B.B. King, was one of the most iconic blues musicians. His guitar playing had a distinct sound and tone that shaped the genre. He won multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His musical legacy continues to influence musicians across all genres.
Willie Dixon
Birth: July 1, 1915, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
Death: January 29, 1992, Burbank, California, USA
Genres: Blues, Rhythm and Blues
Notable Songs: Hoochie Coochie Man, I Just Want to Make Love to You, Little Red Rooster
Albums: I Am the Blues, The Chess Story
Record Labels: Chess Records, Columbia
Achievements: Blues Hall of Fame, prolific songwriter and producer
Description: Willie Dixon was a legendary blues musician known for his songwriting and contributions to Chicago blues. He worked closely with artists such as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, and his music helped define the genre. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Alex Miller
Birth: Unknown
Death: N/A
Genres: Blues, Soul
Notable Songs: Back in the Day, Step Back Baby
Albums: The Life I Chose
Record Labels: Independent
Achievements: Blends traditional blues with modern elements
Description: Alex Miller has carved a niche by infusing traditional blues music with a modern twist, showcasing a soulful and raw musical style.
Charles Brown
Birth: September 13, 1922, Texas City, Texas, USA
Death: January 21, 1999, Oakland, California, USA
Genres: Blues, Rhythm and Blues
Notable Songs: Please Come Home for Christmas, Drifting Blues, Black Night
Albums: The Charles Brown Collection, A Soulful Christmas
Record Labels: King, Imperial, Aladdin
Achievements: Smooth vocal style and innovative piano playing, Holiday classic ‘Please Come Home for Christmas’
Description: Charles Brown was a blues and R&B singer and pianist known for his smooth vocals and unique piano style. His Christmas classic continues to be a timeless holiday hit.
Howlin' Wolf
Birth: June 10, 1910, White Station, Mississippi, USA
Death: January 10, 1976, Hines, Illinois, USA
Genres: Blues, Chicago Blues
Notable Songs: Smokestack Lightning, Killing Floor, How Many More Years
Albums: Moanin’ in the Moonlight, The Howlin’ Wolf Album
Record Labels: Chess Records, Sun Records
Achievements: Pioneering blues musician, Rock and blues influence
Description: Howlin’ Wolf, Chester Arthur Burnett, was a key figure in the Chicago blues scene. Known for his powerful voice and unique style, he influenced rock and blues music and is remembered as one of the greatest blues artists.
James Cotton
Birth: July 1, 1935, Tunica, Mississippi, USA
Death: March 16, 2017, Austin, Texas, USA
Genres: Blues
Notable Songs: Cotton Crop Blues, My Babe, One More Mile
Albums: Live from Chicago: Mr. Superharp Himself, High Compression
Record Labels: Alligator Records, Verve
Achievements: Blues Hall of Fame, Master of the harmonica
Description: James Cotton was a legendary harmonica player known for his collaborations with Muddy Waters and for shaping the modern blues sound. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Jamesetta Hawkins (Etta James)
Birth: January 25, 1938, Los Angeles, California, USA
Death: January 20, 2012, Riverside, California, USA
Genres: Blues, R&B, Soul
Notable Songs: At Last, Tell Mama, I’d Rather Go Blind
Albums: At Last!, Tell Mama, The Right Time
Record Labels: Chess, Argo, Island
Achievements: Iconic blues and soul singer, Grammy Award
Description: Etta James, known for her powerful and emotive voice, was a legendary figure in blues and soul music. Her song ‘At Last’ became one of the most popular songs of the 20th century.
Joe Turner
Birth: May 18, 1911, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Death: November 24, 1985, Inglewood, California, USA
Genres: Blues, R&B
Notable Songs: Shake, Rattle and Roll, Chains of Love
Albums: The Boss of the Blues, Joe Turner Sings
Record Labels: Atlantic, Decca
Achievements: Influential rock and roll pioneer
Description: Joe Turner, known as ‘The Boss of the Blues,’ played a key role in the early days of rock and roll. His song ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ was a crossover hit that helped define the rock and roll genre.
John Lee Hooker
Birth: August 22, 1917, Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA
Death: June 21, 2001, Los Altos, California, USA
Genres: Blues, Boogie
Notable Songs: Boom Boom, I’m in the Mood, Crawling King Snake
Albums: The Healer, Boom Boom, It Serve You Right to Suffer
Record Labels: Vee Jay, Chess, Impulse!
Achievements: Pioneer of blues music, Rock and blues influence
Description: John Lee Hooker, a blues legend, known for his signature ‘boogie’ style, influenced a wide range of rock and blues musicians. His songs remain timeless and are celebrated for their hypnotic rhythms.
Johnny Copeland
Birth: March 27, 1937, Houston, Texas, USA
Death: July 3, 1997, New York City, New York, USA
Genres: Blues
Notable Songs: Down on Bending Knees, Rockin’ Daddy, Going Back to Texas
Albums: Copeland Special, Texas Night Hawk
Record Labels: Rounder, Alligator
Achievements: Known for electrifying guitar playing
Description: Johnny Copeland was a Texas blues singer and guitarist known for his energetic performances and unique style. He contributed significantly to blues music, and his electrifying guitar playing continues to influence the genre.
Junior Wells
Birth: December 9, 1934, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Death: January 15, 1998, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Genres: Blues
Notable Songs: Little By Little, Snatch It Back and Hold It, Hoodoo Man Blues
Albums: Hoodoo Man Blues, South Side Blues Jam
Record Labels: Vee Jay, Delmark
Achievements: Blues Hall of Fame, Known for harmonica playing and singing
Description: Junior Wells, a Chicago blues harmonica player and singer, was known for his harmonica playing and charismatic stage presence. He contributed to shaping the Chicago blues sound and received recognition through induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Koko Taylor
Birth: September 28, 1928, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Death: June 3, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Genres: Blues, Chicago Blues
Notable Songs: Wang Dang Doodle, I’m a Woman, In the Ghetto
Albums: Queen of the Blues, Blues Explosion
Record Labels: Chess Records, Alligator
Achievements: Blues Hall of Fame, Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album
Description: Koko Taylor, known as the ‘Queen of the Blues,’ had a powerful voice that defined the Chicago blues sound. Her song ‘Wang Dang Doodle’ remains a classic, and she was awarded a Grammy for her contributions to blues music.
