Birth of the Blues - Early Blues

A Birth of the Blues

A You Tube History of Music

This old page is not updated. See history tree below.

Featured on this page loosely in order of first recording or record release (as possible):

Hart Wand Lead Belly WC Handy Mamie Smith Ethel Waters

Sara Martin Trixie Smith Ma Rainey Bessie Smith Clara Smith

Sylvester Weaver Big Joe Williams Papa Charlie Jackson Lonnie Johnson Blind Blake

Blind Lemon Jefferson Jelly Roll Morton Victoria Spivey Texas Alexander Big Bill Broonzy

Gus Cannon Josh White Scrapper Blackwell Leroy Carr John Hurt

Tommy Johnson Tampa Red Sleepy John Estes Hammie Nixon Charlie Patton

T-Bone Walker Son House Georgia White Doctor Clayton Robert Johnson

Sonny Boy Williamson I Sister Rosetta Tharpe Big Joe Turner Big Walter Horton

Champion Jack Dupree Robert Lockwood Muddy Waters Johnny Shines Dinah Washington

Eddie Cleanhead Vinson Charles Brown Lightning Hopkins Little Walter John Lee Hooker

Floyd Jones Moody Jones Snooky Pryor BB King Little Esther Phillips

Bobby Bland Elmore James Sonny Boy Williamson II Howling Wolf Homesick James

Albert King Freddie King Jimmy Reed Eric Clapton John Mayall

Not on this page? See history tree below.

	We have restructured the blues section. This page is no longer be updated. Please see the history tree below to help you navigate. There are two main branches of early blues. The one derives from jazz (good examples below being Hart Wand, William Handy, Jelly Roll Morton, etc.). The other develops about the same time from southern folk music (Louisiana, Mississippi), then making its way north to blues hubs such as Memphis, Tennessee and Chicago, Illinois. What technically distinguishes the blues from other musical genres is a matter of bar and stanza structure, tonality (key) and flattened "blue notes." The blues, however, would eventually find expression in a variety of genres from country to rock and roll. In connection with jazz, especially swing, the blues would branch into such as jump blues and rhythm and blues (R&B), both precursors of rock and roll.
Hart Wand	Hart Wand, an Oklahoma City violinist and band leader, is generally credited with composing and publishing the "first" blues song, "Dallas Blues," in 1912. Wand wasn't able to record 'Dallas Blues': the version to which this history points is rendered by pianist Sue Keller. Hart Wand 1912 Pianist: Sue Keller Dallas Blues
	Lead Belly, a folk and gospel singer of the same period, introduced guitar as a main medium of the blues, first recording in 1912. Lead Belly 1912 The Titanic Lead Belly 1934 Sorry Mama Lead Belly 1934 Black Betty Lead Belly 1935 Grey Goose Lead Belly 1935 My Baby Quit Me Lead Belly 1941 Cotton Fields Lead Belly 1942 Hitler Blues Lead Belly 1944 Grasshopper In My Pillow Lead Belly 1944 Where Did You Sleep Last Night Lead Belly 1944 Rock Island Line Lead Belly 1944 See See Rider Lead Belly 1944 House of the Rising Sun	Lead Belly
	William Handy, a brass musician, is often called the "Father" of the blues. 'St. Louis Blues' and 'Bunch of Blues' below are recordings by Handy. 'Yellow Dog Blues', however, is thanks again to pianist Sue Keller. William Handy 1914 St. Louis Blues William Handy 1914 Pianist: Sue Keller Yellow Dog Blues William Handy 1917 Bunch of Blues	William Handy
Mamie Smith	Mamie Smith, a vaudeville singer, is the first to record vocal blues with 'Crazy Blues' in 1920, so popular that a million copies of it are sold. Mamie Smith 1920 Crazy Blues Mamie Smith 1921 A Little Kind Treatment Mamie Smith 1921 Let's Agree to Disagree Mamie Smith 1921 Wang Wang Blues Mamie Smith 1926 Goin' Crazy With the Blues Mamie Smith 1929 My Sportin' Man Mamie Smith 1931 Jenny's Ball Mamie Smith 1935 Harlem Blues
	Ethel Waters (Blackbird) first recorded in 1921, first a couple jazz songs ('The New York Glide' and 'At the New Jump Steady Ball'), then a couple blues tunes ('Oh Daddy' and 'Down Home Blues'). Waters can also be found in A Birth of Swing Jazz. Ethel Waters 1921 Down Home Blues Ethel Waters 1921 Oh Daddy Ethel Waters 1921 Am I Blue? Ethel Waters 1921 Film: 'On With the Show' Am I Blue?	Ethel Waters
Sara Martin Sylvester Weaver	Sara Martin was an enormously popular blues vocalist who started her career doing vaudeville, later moving on to jug band music. Her first release, 'T'aint Nobody's Business', was in 1922. Sara Martin 1922 Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do Sara Martin 1923 With Sylvester Weaver Mistreated Mama Sara Martin 1924 Jug band I'm Gonna Be a Lovin' Old Soul Sara Martin 1928 With King Oliver Death Stung Me Blues
	Trixie Smith first recorded in 1922 with 'My Man Rocks Me (With One Steady Roll)'. Trixie Smith 1922 My Man Rocks Me Trixie Smith 1938 Freight Train Blues Trixie Smith 1938 Jack, I'm Mellow	Trixie Smith
Ma Rainey	During the same year, 1923, Ma Rainey released her first recordings, 'Bad Luck Blues' and 'Bo-Weavil Blues'. Ma Rainey 1923 Bad Luck Blues Ma Rainey 1923 Bo-Weavil Blues Ma Rainey 1923 Moonshine Blues Ma Rainey 1924 Booze and Blues
	Bessie Smith released her first recording, 'Down Hearted Blues', in 1923. Bessie Smith 1923 Down Hearted Blues Bessie Smith 1923 Any Woman's Blues Bessie Smith 1923 Baby Won't You Please Come Home Bessie Smith 1923 T'ain't Nobody's Business If I Do Bessie Smith 1925 Careless Love Blues Bessie Smith 1925 I Ain't Got Nobody Bessie Smith 1925 Yellow Dog Blues Bessie Smith 1927 After You've Gone Bessie Smith 1929 Blue Spirit Blues Bessie Smith 1929 I'm Wild About That Thing Bessie Smith 1929 Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out Bessie Smith 1931 I Need a Little Sugar In My Bowl Bessie Smith 1933 Give Me a Pigfoot	Bessie Smith
Clara Smith	Clara Smith first recorded in 1923 with Bessie Smith and Fletcher Henderson. She would cut 122 tracks until 1932, then die of heart attack in 1935. Clara Smith 1923 With Bessie Smith and Fletcher Henderson Far Away Blues Clara Smith 1924 Don't Advertise Your Man Clara Smith 1926 Look Where The Sun Done Gone Clara Smith 1928 Ain't Got Nobody To Grind My Coffee Clara Smith 1929 Oh Mister Mitchell
	Blues guitarist Sylvester Weaver's first recordings in 1923 (with Sara Martin, above), 'Longing for Daddy Blues' and 'I've Got to Go and Leave My Daddy Behind', are unfound for this history. But two weeks later he cut a couple tracks, 'Guitar Blues' and 'Guitar Rag', the latter below. Sylvester Weaver 1923 Guitar Rag Sylvester Weaver 1927 With Walter Beasley Bottle Neck Blues
	Like early jazz which had two main branches, developing out of Chicago in the north and New Orleans in the south, so it was with the blues, musicians gravitating to Chicago in the north and the Mississippi Delta in the south. Big Joe Williams, an early Delta blues musician, often played a nine-string guitar. He released 'Baby Don't Leave Me' in 1923, about ten years later than Lead Belly's first recording (1912), with Dad Tracy, a one-string violinist. Big Joe Williams 1923 Baby Please Don't Go Big Joe Williams 1923 Live performance 1965 Baby Please Don't Go Big Joe Williams 1935 Little Leg Woman Big Joe Williams 1935 Providence Help the Poor People Big Joe Williams 1935 Somebody's Been Borrowin' That Stuff Big Joe Williams 1937 I Won't Be In Hard Luck No More Big Joe Williams 1941 Crawling King Snake Big Joe Williams 1941 Someday Baby Big Joe Williams 1947 Banta Rooster Blues Big Joe Williams 1961 Shaggy Hound Blues Big Joe Williams 1966 She Left Me a Mule to Ride	Big Joe Williams
	Banjo player Papa Charlie Jackson mixed blues with ragtime, first recording in 1924, 'Airy Man Blues' and 'Lawdy Lawdy Blues' among his first. (The recordings of those two songs below are scratchy, but all that could be found.) Papa Charlie Jackson 1924 Airy Man Blues Papa Charlie Jackson 1924 Lawdy Lawdy Blues Papa Charlie Jackson 1925 All I Want Is a Spoonful Papa Charlie Jackson 1925 Drop That Sack Papa Charlie Jackson 1925 Take Me Back Blues Papa Charlie Jackson 1926 The Judge Cliff Davis Blues Papa Charlie Jackson 1929 Hot Papa Blues	Papa Charlie Jackson
Lonnie Johnson	Guitarist and violinist Lonnie Johnson first recorded in 1925 as the prize of winning a blues contest. Johnson plays violin on 'Ball and Chain Blues' below. Lonnie Johnson 1925 Ball and Chain Blues Lonnie Johnson 1925 Fallin' Rain Blues Lonnie Johnson 1926 Five O'clock Blues Lonnie Johnson 1926 Mr. Johnson Blues Lonnie Johnson 1928 Broken Levee Blues Lonnie Johnson 1930 Long Black Train Lonnie Johnson 1938 New Fallin' Rain Blues Lonnie Johnson 1939 She's Only a Woman Lonnie Johnson 1942 The Devil's Woman
	Guitarist Blind Blake was a prolific recording artist. Blending blues with ragtime, his first release was 'Early Morning Blues' in 1926 with 'West Coast Blues' on the B side. Blind Blake 1926 Early Morning Blues Blind Blake 1926 West Coast Blues Blind Blake 1926 Vocalist: Leola Wilson Back Biting Bee Blues Blind Blake 1926 Blake's Worried Blues Blind Blake 1926 Come On Boys Let's Do That Messin' Around Blind Blake 1926 Vocalist: Leola Wilson Down the Country Blind Blake 1926 Skeedle Loo Doo Blues Blind Blake 1926 Stonewall Street Blues Blind Blake 1926 Tampa Bound Blind Blake 1926 Too Tight Blind Blake 1927 Hard Road Blues Blind Blake 1927 He's In the Jailhouse Now Blind Blake 1927 Wabash Rag Blind Blake 1929 Georgia Bound	Blind Blake
Blind Lemon Jefferson	Blind Lemon Jefferson was a traveling guitarist who first recorded in 1926 with 'I Want to Be Like Jesus In My Heart' and 'All I Want is that Pure Religion', both below. Blind Lemon Jefferson 1926 All I Want Is That Pure Religion Blind Lemon Jefferson 1926 I Want To Be Like Jesus In My Heart Blind Lemon Jefferson 1927 Black Snake Moan Blind Lemon Jefferson 1927 Easy Rider Blues Blind Lemon Jefferson 1927 Lonesome House Blues Blind Lemon Jefferson 1927 Match Box Blues Blind Lemon Jefferson 1927 See That My Grave Is Kept Clean
	Pianist Jelly Roll Morton and his band, the Red Hot Peppers, released 'Jelly Roll Blues' in 1926. Jelly Roll is a pivotal figure in early jazz transitioning from ragtime and will be found in Jazz 2 as well. Jelly Roll Morton 1923 King Porter Stomp Jelly Roll Morton 1926 Jelly Roll Blues Jelly Roll Morton 1930 Blue Blood Blues Jelly Roll Morton 1938 Hesitation Blues Jelly Roll Morton 1938 Honky Tonk Blues Jelly Roll Morton 1939 Buddy Bolden's Blues Jelly Roll Morton 1939 West End Blues	Jelly Roll Morton
Victoria Spivey	Victoria Spivey first records with 'Black Snake Blues' and 'Dirty Woman Blues' in 1926. Victoria Spivey 1926 Black Snake Blues Victoria Spivey 1927 Dope Head Blues Victoria Spivey 1929 How Do They Do It That Way Victoria Spivey 1929 Moaning the Blues Victoria Spivey 1929 Don't Trust Nobody Blues Victoria Spivey 1934 Any Kind of Man Victoria Spivey 1936 Detroit Moan Victoria Spivey 1963 T B Blues Victoria Spivey 1976 You're My Man (Slick Chick Blues)
	Blues singer Texas Alexander began recording in 1927 with 'Range In My Kitchen Blues'. But he never sang the blues like he would upon murdering his wife in 1939. After serving only five years in prison he resumed his career until his death, of syphilis, in 1954. Some mistakenly believe that Alexander was the first to record 'The House Of the Rising Sun'. The song of the matter is 'The Rising Sun' below. It is obviously a different song. (The first to record 'The House Of the Rising Sun' was country western musician Clarence Ashley in 1933. Ashley can be found in A Birth of Country Western.) Texas Alexander 1927 Range In My Kitchen Texas Alexander 1927 Corn-Bread Blues Texas Alexander 1928 Deep Sea Blues Texas Alexander 1928 Cornet: King Oliver Frisco Train Blues Texas Alexander 1928 The Rising Sun Texas Alexander 1928 Yellow Girl Blues Texas Alexander 1929 With Little Hat Jones Double Crossing Blues Texas Alexander 1934 Frost Texas Tornado Blues Texas Alexander 1934 Seen Better Days	Alger Texas Alexander
Big Bill Broonzy	Hailing from Arkansas, guitarist Big Bill Broonzy first recorded in 1927, 'Big Bill Blues' and 'House Rent Stomp' among his first. Big Bill Broonzy 1927 Big Bill Blues Big Bill Broonzy 1927 House Rent Stomp Big Bill Broonzy 1932 Long Tall Mama Big Bill Broonzy 1934 Mississippi Blues Big Bill Broonzy 1941 I Feel So Good Big Bill Broonzy 1956 When Did You Leave Heaven
	Mississippi-born banjo player Gus Cannon first recorded in 1927. In 1928 he formed the Jug Stompers. Though the group disbanded in 1930, after which Cannon largely retired, some twenty years he revived his career, next recording in 1956. Gus Cannon 1927 Big Railroad Blues Gus Cannon 1927 Can You Blame the Colored Man Gus Cannon 1927 Hollywood Rag Gus Cannon 1927 Madison Street Blues Gus Cannon 1927 Minglewood Blues Gus Cannon 1927 My Money Never Runs Out Gus Cannon 1927 Poor Boy, Long Ways From Home Gus Cannon 1928 Walk Right In Gus Cannon 1929 Going to Germany Gus Cannon 1930 Pretty Mama Blues	Gus Cannon
Josh White	Josh White, guitarist, got his first taste of blues as a child rendering services for blind street singers. He became a session guitarist for Paramount in 1927, making many recordings as a backup musician before producing his first single in 1932. Josh White 1932 Baby Won't You Doodle-Doo-Doo Josh White 1932 Crying Blues Josh White 1932 Double Crossing Woman Josh White 1932 Downhearted Man Blues Josh White 1932 Good Gal Josh White 1932 Greenville Sheik Josh White 1932 High Brown Cheater Josh White 1932 Howling Wolf Blues Josh White 1932 Lazy Black Snake Blues Josh White 1932 Little Brother Blues Josh White 1935 Black Man Josh White 1935 Low Cotton Josh White 1935 Milk Cow Blues
Leroy Carr Scrapper Blackwell	Pianist Leroy Carr and guitarist Scrapper Blackwell formed their partnership in 1928. Their first release in 1928, 'How Long Blues', was the best-selling blues tune that year. Scrapper Blackwell & Leroy Carr 1928 How Long Blues Scrapper Blackwell & Leroy Carr 1934 Blue Night Blues Scrapper Blackwell & Leroy Carr 1928 Blues Before Sunrise Scrapper Blackwell & Leroy Carr 1932 Midnight Hour Blues
	Folk guitarist Mississippi John Hurt went to Memphis and New York City in 1928 to record six 78s (12 songs) for Okeh Records. They sold so poorly that he returned to obscurity in Avalon, Mississippi. Rediscovered in 1963, he then released his first album, only to die of heart attack three years later. Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Ain't No Tellin' Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Avalon Blues Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Blessed Be the Name Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Blue Harvest Blues Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Candy Man Blues Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Frankie Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Got the Blues (Can't Be Satisfied) Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Louis Collins Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Nobody's Dirty Business Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Praying On the Old Camp Ground Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Spike Driver Blues Mississippi John Hurt 1928 Stack O' Lee Blues Mississippi John Hurt 1963 Coffee Blues	Mississippi John Hurt
Tommy Johnson	Delta blues guitarist Tommy Johnson released his first recordings in 1928. Tommy Johnson 1928 Alcohol and Jake Blues Tommy Johnson 1928 Bye Bye Blues Tommy Johnson 1928 Canned Heat Blues Tommy Johnson 1928 Cool Drink Of Water Blues Tommy Johnson 1928 Fat Mama Blues
	Slide guitarist Tampa Red got his start with Ma Rainey. His first recording was 'It's Tight Like That' in 1928. Tampa Red 1928 It's Tight Like That Tampa Red 1929 Denver Blues Tampa Red 1929 Vocals: Jenny Page Whiskey Drinking Blues Tampa Red 1932 You Can't Get That Stuff No More Tampa Red 1938 Let Me Play With Your Poodle Tampa Red 1940 Don't You Lie To Me Tampa Red 1940 It Hurts Me Too	Tampa Red
Sleepy John Estes	Hammie Nixon was a jug band musician who played another major instrument of the blues, the harmonica. Nixon enjoyed a long musical relationship with guitarist Sleepy John Estes. Their first recordings together in 1929 are unfound for this history. Sleepy John Estes & Hammie Nixon 1929 Someday Baby Blues Sleepy John Estes & Hammie Nixon 1976 Corinne Corrine Sleepy John Estes & Hammie Nixon 1976 I Ain't Gonna Sell It Sleepy John Estes 1938 Everybody Ought to Make a Change Sleepy John Estes 1965 Corinna Sleepy John Estes 1995 Black Mattie	Hammie Nixon
Charley Patton	Charlie Patton was a Mississippi Delta blues guitarist. Though writing blues songs as early as 1910 he didn't record anything until 1929, fourteen titles for Paramount Records in Indiana, 'Pony Blues' his first. Charlie Patton 1929 Pony Blues Charlie Patton 1929 Rattlesnake Blues Charlie Patton 1929 Shake It and Break It Charlie Patton 1930 Moon Goin' Down Charlie Patton 1934 '34 Blues Charlie Patton 1934 Revenue Man Blues Charlie Patton 1934 Yellow Bee
	T-Bone Walker was the first musician to record electric guitar. He began his recording career in 1929 with 'Trinity River Blues' and 'Wichita Falls Blues'. He also played with a lot of jazz musicians and, like Muddy Waters, would have great prestige in the development of rock and roll. More T-Bone Walker in A Birth of Rock & Roll. T-Bone Walker 1929 Trinity River Blues T-Bone Walker 1929 Wichita Falls Blues T-Bone Walker 1940 T-Bone Blues T-Bone Walker 1942 Mean Old World T-Bone Walker 1946 Bobby Sox Blues T-Bone Walker 1947 Call It Stormy Monday T-Bone Walker 1948 West Side Baby	T-Bone Walker
Son House	The first recordings by guitarist Son House in 1930 below are of poor quality, but they were at least available. Son House 1930 Clarksdale Moan Son House 1930 Dry Spell Blues Part 1 Son House 1930 Dry Spell Blues Part 2 Son House 1930 Mississippi County Farm Blues Son House 1930 Preachin' the Blues Part 1 Son House 1930 Preachin' the Blues Part 2 Son House 1930 Walking Blues
	'When You're Smiling, the Whole World Smiles With You' was jazz singer Georgia White's first recording in 1930. Unfortunately no examples earlier than 1936 could be found for this history. Georgia White 1936 Get 'Em From The Peanut Man Georgia White 1936 I Just Want To Be Your Stingaree Georgia White 1936 Tell Me Baby Georgia White 1936 Was I Drunk Georgia White 1937 Alley Boogie Georgia White 1937 The Stuff Is Here	Georgia White
Doctor Clayton	Blues singer Doctor Clayton's first recordings in 1935 are unfound for this history. The earliest release listed below is 'Pearl Harbor Blues' in 1942. Doctor Clayton 1942 Pearl Harbor Blues Doctor Clayton 1942 On the Killin' Floor
	Robert Johnson, also a Delta blues guitarist, made his first recording, 'Kind Hearted Woman Blues' in 1936. He would die only two years later. Robert Johnson 1936 Kind Hearted Woman Blues Robert Johnson 1936 Come On In My Kitchen Robert Johnson 1936 Crossroad Blues Robert Johnson 1936 I Believe I'll Dust My Broom Robert Johnson 1936 Last Fair Deal Gone Down Robert Johnson 1936 Terraplane Blues	Robert Johnson
Sonny Boy Williamson I	Sonny Boy Williamson I also played harmonica, first recording in 1937 with 'Good Morning Little School Girl'. Sonny Boy Williamson I 1937 Good Morning Little School Girl Sonny Boy Williamson I 1941 Good Gal Blues
	Gospel singer and guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe released her first four recordings in 1938, 'My Man and I', below, among them. Tharpe will also be found in A Birth of Jazz 3 and A Birth of Rock and Roll. Sister Rosetta Tharpe 1938 My Man and I Sister Rosetta Tharpe 1941 Stand By Me Sister Rosetta Tharpe 1961 Lonesome Road	Sister Rosetta Tharpe
	Vocalist Big Joe Turner, first recording in 1938 ('Roll Em Pete' in A Birth of Rock and Roll), was an important early rocker as well. Big Joe Turner 1939 Going Away Blues Big Joe Turner 1941 Rocks In My Bed Big Joe Turner 1956 How Long Blues	Big Joe Turner
Big Walter Horton	Big Walter Horton (Shakey), an harmonica player from Memphis, first pursued Mississippi Delta blues, then became involved with the Chicago blues. He first recorded in 1939 (unfound). Due to poor health he dropped out of the music scene for several years in the forties. Later resuming his career, among his first releases was 'Evening Sun' (1953) with Johnny Shines. Big Walter Horton 1953 With Johnny Shines Evening Sun
Champion Jack Dupree	Pianist Champion Jack Dupree, so named because he had been a boxer, first recorded his Chicago blues in 1940. Dupree first only sang 'Careless Love' (written by William Handy in 1926) for Papa Bue's 1962 rendition, but a later piano solo in 1991 reveals his beautiful command of the keyboard. Champion Jack Dupree 1940 Angola Blues Champion Jack Dupree 1940 Black Woman Swing Champion Jack Dupree 1940 Cabbage Greens Champion Jack Dupree 1940 Junker's Blues Champion Jack Dupree 1954 Shim Sham Shimmy Champion Jack Dupree 1962 Vocals for Papa Bue Careless Love Champion Jack Dupree 1963 Weed Head Woman Champion Jack Dupree 1991 Piano solo Careless Love
	Guitarist Robert Lockwood made his first recording, 'Black Spider Blues', with blues vocalist Doctor Clayton in 1941. Robert Lockwood 1941 With Doctor Clayton Black Spider Blues Robert Lockwood 1941 I'm Gonna Train My Baby Robert Lockwood 1951 I'm Gonna Dig Myself a Hole Robert Lockwood 1996 I Gotta Find Me a Woman	Robert Lockwood
Muddy Waters	Muddy Waters released his first recording, 'Country Blues', in 1941. Waters will be found in A Birth of Rock & Roll as well. Muddy Waters 1941 Country Blues Muddy Waters 1950 Rollin' Stone (Catfish Blues)
Johnny Shines	Guitarist Johnny Shines first toured the south, then became involved with the Chicago blues. He first began recording in 1942, but couldn't, for several years, find a label that would release his sound to the public. When he did finally make his first release in 1953, with Big Walter Horton, the sales were so bad that he quit music and became a construction worker. He was discovered again in a Chicago blues bar, taking photographs, which led to recording with Horton again in 1966. This Birth of the Blues otherwise pauses, before entering into the sixties via artists whose careers were in their infancy in relevance to Shines'. Johnny Shines 1953 With Walter Horton Brutal Hearted Woman Johnny Shines 1966 With Walter Horton Black Spider Blues Johnny Shines 1966 With Walter Horton Layin' Down My Shoes and Clothes
	Jazz singer Dinah Washington released her first recording, 'Evil Gal Blues', in 1943 with Lionel Hampton. More Dinah Washington can be found in Jazz 8 as well. Dinah Washington 1943 With Lionel Hampton Evil Gal Blues Dinah Washington 1944 Salty Papa Blues	Dinah Washington
Eddie Cleanhead Vinson	Alto saxophonist and vocalist Eddie Cleanhead Vinson learned his lesson about using hair straightening products when one containing lye left him nary a strand. Though his hair grew back he decided he liked the more elegant look which that accident had brought him, so kept his head shaved thereafter. Born in 1917, Vinson joined the Milton Larkin Orchestra in the latter thirties, toured with Big Bill Broonzy shortly thereafter, then joined the Cootie Williams Orchestra, with whom he first recorded, in 1942. Vinson formed his own band in 1945. His first album under his own name is believed to be 'Mr. Cleanhead Steps Out', produced in 1947, including the track, 'Kidney Stew Blues', below. Eddie Vinson 1944 With the Cootie Williams Orchestra Somebody's Got to Go Eddie Vinson 1944 With the Cootie Williams Orchestra Juice Head Baby Eddie Vinson 1945 With the Cootie Williams Orchestra When My Baby Left Me Eddie Vinson 1947 Kidney Stew Blues Eddie Vinson 1947 Wait a Minute Baby Eddie Vinson 1961 With Cannonball Adderley Bright Lights Big City Eddie Vinson 1967 Alimony Blues Eddie Vinson 1967 Cadillac Blues Eddie Vinson 1967 Cherry Red Eddie Vinson 1967 Flat Broke Blues Eddie Vinson 1967 Goodnight Baby Blues Eddie Vinson 1967 Somebody's Got to Go Eddie Vinson 1987 Live 1986 Cleanhead Blues/Old Maid Boogie
	Born in 1922, pianist Charles Brown left Texas for Los Angeles where he played the local blues clubs which led to his first recording, 'Driftin' Blues', in 1945. Brown is among the most highly underrated blues musicians. Charles Brown 1945 Driftin' Blues Charles Brown 1951 Black Night Charles Brown 1951 Rockin' Blues	Charles Brown
Lightnin' Hopkins	Guitarist, Lightning Hopkins, born in Houston, added his Texas sound to the blues, his first recording, 'Katie Mae', in 1946. Lightnin' Hopkins 1946 Katie Mae Lightnin' Hopkins 1946 Bald Headed Woman Lightnin' Hopkins 1947 Short Haired Woman Lightnin' Hopkins 1949 Baby Please Don't Go Lightnin' Hopkins 1966 Recording Rock Me Baby Lightnin' Hopkins 1966 Live performance Rock Me Baby
	Harmonica player, Little Walter, was the first to amplify harmonica, holding the instrument to the microphone. His first recording, 'Ora-nelle Blues' was released in 1947. More of Little Walter in our You Tube Birth of Rock and Roll. Little Walter 1947 Ora-nelle Blues Little Walter 1952 Blue Midnight Little Walter 1954 Last Night Little Walter 1955 My Babe Little Walter 1955 Boom, Boom Out Go the Lights Little Walter 1957 Key to the Highway	Little Walter
John Lee Hooker	Guitarist, John Lee Hooker, first recorded in 1948, the year before Lead Belly died (1949). Unlike Lead Belly, who played acoustic, Hooker got himself an electric guitar. More John Lee Hooker in A Birth of Folk Music under Ry Cooder. John Lee Hooker 1948 Boogie Chillen John Lee Hooker 1948 Goin' Down Highway 51 John Lee Hooker 1948 Wednesday Evening Blues John Lee Hooker 1963 This Is Hip John Lee Hooker 1980 With Ry Cooder This Is Hip John Lee Hooker 2001 Boogie Chillun
	Guitarist, Floyd Jones, born in Arkansas, was a Delta blues musician before becoming involved with the Chicago blues. He first released 'Stockyard Blues' with Snooky Pryor in 1948. That recording is unfound for this history, but a later performance by Jones in 1970 is listed below. Jones also recorded with pianist Sunnyland Slim, below. Floyd Jones 1948 Live performance 1970 Stockyard Blues Floyd Jones 1952 With Sunnyland Slim Dark Road	Floyd Jones
Moody Jones	Guitarist Moody Jones, brother of Floyd Jones, released his first recording, with Snooky Pryor, in 1948 as well. Gospel oriented, he quit music in 1955 to become a pastor. Moody Jones 1948 With Snooky Pryor Telephone Blues
	Snooky Pryor, another Chicago blues musician first released, 'Telephone Blues', in 1948 with Moody Jones, under Moody Jones above. Snooky Pryor 1952 Boogie Twist Snooky Pryor 1956 Judgment Day Snooky Pryor 1994 In This Mess Up To My Chest	Snooky Pryor
BB King	About the same time BB King (Riley B. King) released his first recording, 'Miss Martha King', in 1949, and electric guitar becomes fairly institutionalized as the major instrument of the blues. BB King 1949 Miss Martha King BB King 1953 Highway Bound BB King 1957 Early In the Morning BB King 1970 Nobody Loves Me But My Mother BB King 1971 Sweet Thing BB King 1987 Live with Albert King, Eric Clapton & Stevie Ray Vaughan Why I Sing the Blues BB King 1995 Catfish Blues (Fishin' After Me)
	Little Esther Phillips was discovered by Johnny Otis, with whom she made her first recordings in 1950. Gradually taking her sound the soul and rhythm and blues direction, she died at the relatively young age of 49 upon kidney and liver failures due to drug use. She created her last album, 'A Way to Say Goodbye', in 1983 (released 1986). For more of bandleader Johnny Otis see A Birth of Rock n Roll. Esther Phillips 1950 With the Johnny Otis Orchestra Double Crossing Blues Esther Phillips 1950 With the Johnny Otis Orchestra Deceivin' Blues Esther Phillips 1950 With the Johnny Otis Orchestra Mistrustin' Blues Esther Phillips 1952 Storm Esther Phillips 1952 Summertime Esther Phillips 1953 Cherry Wine Esther Phillips 1965 Live 1966 And I Love Him Esther Phillips 1966 Release Me Esther Phillips 1966 A Taste Of Honey Esther Phillips 1966 Try Me Esther Phillips 1966 When a Woman Loves a Man Esther Phillips 1971 One Night Affair Esther Phillips 1972 Home Is Where the Hatred Is Esther Phillips 1975 Live television performance What a Difference a Day Makes Esther Phillips 1976 A Beautiful Friendship Esther Phillips 1976 Candy Esther Phillips 1976 I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do Esther Phillips 1983 A Way to Say Goodbye Esther Phillips 1983 We Are Through	Little Esther Phillips
	Soul singer Bobby Bland released his first single ('Booted' with 'I Love You Til the Day I Die' flip side) in 1951 (unfound). He produced several more singles in 1952, one among them below. More Bobby Bland in A Birth of Rock & Roll. Bobby Bland 1952 Drifting From Town To Town Bobby Bland 1963 Farther On Up the Road Bobby Bland 1967 Shoes Bobby Bland 2006 Ain't No Sunshine	Bobby Blue Bland
Elmore James	Elmore James, another Delta blues guitarist, released his first recording, 'Dust My Broom', in 1951. Elmore James 1951 Dust My Broom Elmore James 1955 Blues Before Sunrise Elmore James 1957 Coming Home Elmore James 1957 Cry For Me Elmore James 1957 It Hurts Me Too Elmore James 1960 The Sky Is Crying Elmore James 1960 The Sun Is Shining Elmore James 1961 Shake Your Money Maker Elmore James 1969 Done Somebody Wrong
	Sonny Boy Williamson II (also known as Rice Miller) was yet another Delta blues musician, 'Eyesight To The Blind' among his first recordings in 1951. Sonny Boy Williamson II 1951 Eyesight To the Blind Sonny Boy Williamson II 1953 Clownin' With the World Sonny Boy Williamson II 1953 Shuckin' Mama Sonny Boy Williamson II 1954 Goin’ In Your Direction Sonny Boy Williamson II 1963 Bring It On Home Sonny Boy Williamson II 1963 Help Me	Sonny Boy Williamson II
Howlin' Wolf	Howling Wolf, guitar and harmonica, first recorded in 1951, 'Moanin' At Midnight' and 'How Many More Years'. The version of 'How Many More Years' below is from a later recording in 1966. Howlin' Wolf 1951 Version 1966 How Many More Years Howlin' Wolf 1951 Moanin' At the Moon Howlin' Wolf 1954 Version 1968 Evil Howlin' Wolf 1956 Smokestack Lightning Howlin' Wolf 1964 I'll Be Back Someday Howlin' Wolf 1964 Shake It For Me Howlin' Wolf 1966 Dust My Broom Howlin' Wolf 1967 Spoonful
	'Homesick' and 'Lonesome Ole Train' were Homesick James' first recordings in 1952. Unfortunately they are unfound for this history. James was a (slide) guitarist. Homesick James 1964 Homesick's Shuffle Homesick James 1980 With Snooky Pryor Sad & Lonesome	Homesick James
Albert King	Guitarist Albert King (older brother of Freddie King but not related to BB King) began his professional career in 1950 with the Groove Boys. He released his first single, 'Be On Your Merry Way' in 1953 with 'Bad Luck Blues' (unfound) flip side. King didn't release an album until 1962, 'The Big Blues' (followed by 'Born Under a Bad Sign' in '67). Albert King 1953 Be On Your Merry Way Albert King 1970 Oh, Pretty Woman Albert King 1978 Feel Like Breakin' Up Somebody's Home Albert King 1983 Live with Stevie Ray Vaughan Born Under a Bad Sign Albert King 1992 Red House
	Freddie King (younger brother of Albert King but not related to BB King), guitar and harmonica, first recorded the same year as his older brother although those cuts have never been released. He afterward spent a few years as a sideman for various musicians (such as Muddy Waters) before his first release, 'Country Boy', with Margaret Whitfield in 1956. With the exception of 'Country Boy' all tracks below are live performances. Freddie King 1956 With Margaret Whitfield Country Boy Freddie King 1966 Funny Bone Freddie King 1966 I Love the Woman Freddie King 1966 Tore Down Freddie King 1971 Going Down Freddie King 1972 Key To the Highway Freddie King 1973 Boogie Funk Freddie King 1974 Sweet Home Chicago Freddie King 1975 Woke Up This Morning	Freddie King
Jimmy Reed	Guitarist and harmonica player Jimmy Reed released his first recording, 'You Don't Have To Go', in 1954. Unfortunately alcohol and epilepsy interfered with Reed's skills, and he died relatively young (age fifty) of respiratory failure. Jimmy Reed 1954 You Don't Have To Go Jimmy Reed 1961 Big Boss Man Jimmy Reed 1961 Bright Lights, Big City Jimmy Reed 1962 Aw Shucks, Hush Your Mouth Jimmy Reed 1962 Good Love
Eric Clapton	Between the periods of BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan (yet too late for this history, though featured in selections below) occurred the phenomenon that is Eric Clapton (also called Slow Hand). Alike Ray Vaughan, Clapton mixed the blues with rock in such extraordinary manner that rock music became nothing to sniff at evermore. Born in England, Clapton first recorded in 1963 with the Yardbirds. In 1965 the Yardbirds began to pursue a more commercial sound, prompting Clapton to leave the band and join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, the better to examine blues guitar. (He can be found playing with the Bluesbreakers under John Mayall, below, in selections for the years 1965 - 1966.) Clapton joined the rock band, Cream, in 1966 with whom he played until helping to form the band, Blind Faith, in 1969. That same year he accompanied Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, before forming Derek and the Dominos in 1970. Eric Clapton 1963 With the Yardbirds Composition: John Lee Hooker Boom Boom Eric Clapton 1963 With the Yardbirds Composition: Chuck Berry Let It Rock Eric Clapton 1963 With the Yardbirds You Can't Judge a Book By Looking At the Cover Eric Clapton 1964 With the Yardbirds Good Morning Little School Girl Eric Clapton 1964 With the Yardbirds Got to Hurry Eric Clapton 1964 With the Yardbirds Composition: Bo Diddley I'm a Man Eric Clapton 1965 With the Bluesbreakers They Call It Stormy Monday Eric Clapton 1966 With the Bluesbreakers Double Crossing Time Eric Clapton 1966 Live with Cream Steppin' Out Eric Clapton 1969 Live with Blind Faith Can't Find My Way Home Eric Clapton 1969 Live with Blind Faith Do What You Like Eric Clapton 1969 With Blind Faith Had to Cry Today Eric Clapton 1969 Live with Blind Faith In the Presence of the Lord Eric Clapton 1969 Live with Blind Faith Means to an End Eric Clapton 1969 With Blind Faith Sea of Joy Eric Clapton 1969 Live with Blind Faith Sleeping In the Ground Eric Clapton 1969 With Blind Faith Time Winds Eric Clapton 1969 Live with Blind Faith Composition: Keith Richards - Mick Jagger Under My Thumb Eric Clapton 1969 With Delaney & Bonnie & Friends Poor Elijah Eric Clapton 1970 With Derek and the Dominos Bell Bottom Blues Eric Clapton 1970 With Derek and the Dominos Layla Eric Clapton 1970 With Derek and the Dominos Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out Eric Clapton 1974 Motherless Children Eric Clapton 1980 Live Double Trouble Eric Clapton 1982 Live Good Night Irene Eric Clapton 1990 Live with Stevie Ray Vaughan After Midnight Eric Clapton 1990 Live with Stevie Ray Vaughan Before You Accuse Me Eric Clapton 1992 Live Hey Hey Eric Clapton 1992 Live Layla Eric Clapton 1996 Live With BB King, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Jimmy Ray Vaughan Six String Down Eric Clapton 1999 Live Bell Bottom Blues Eric Clapton 1999 Live Change the World Eric Clapton 1999 Live Ramblin' On My Mind Eric Clapton 1999 Live with BB King The Thrill Is Gone Eric Clapton 2001 Live Key to the Highway Eric Clapton 2001 Live She's Gone Eric Clapton 2007 Live with Steve Winwood Can't Find My Way Home Eric Clapton 2007 Live Cocaine Eric Clapton 2007 Live My Father's Eyes Eric Clapton 2007 Live River of Tears Eric Clapton 2007 Live Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton 2008 Live Drifting Blues Eric Clapton 2009 Live with the Allman Brothers Band Dreams Eric Clapton 2010 Live with BB King Crossroads Eric Clapton 2010 Live I Shot the Sheriff Eric Clapton 2010 Live with Jeff Beck Moon River Eric Clapton 2010 Live Rock and Roll Heart Eric Clapton 2010 Live Running On Faith Eric Clapton 2010 Live Somewhere Over the Rainbow
	Guitarist and harp player John Mayall recorded his first release, 'Crawling Up a Hill' ('Mr. James' flip side unfound), in 1964. Mayall released his first album, 'John Mayall Plays John Mayall', in 1965, after which guitarist Eric Clapton joined and recorded with his band the same year. (Guitarist Mick Taylor joined the Bluesbreakers in 1967, first appearing on the album 'Crusade'.) His group now called the (original) Bluesbreakers, Mayall released his next album, 'Blues Breakers', in 1966. He plays with Eric Clapton in selections below for the years 1965 - 1966. John Mayall 1964 Crawling Up a Hill John Mayall 1965 Side A Crocodile Walk John Mayall 1965 Side B Blues City Shakedown John Mayall 1965 Side A I'm Your Witchdoctor John Mayall 1965 Side B Telephone Blues John Mayall 1966 Album: Blues Breakers All Your Love John Mayall 1966 Hide Away John Mayall 1966 Parchman Farm John Mayall 1967 Drivin' Sideways John Mayall 1967 It Hurts Me Too John Mayall 1967 Composition: Albert King Oh, Pretty Woman John Mayall 1968 Live at the Fillmore I Can't Sleep John Mayall 1968 I Started Walking John Mayall 1968 Live performance Walking On Sunset John Mayall 1969 Album: The Turning Point California John Mayall 1969 Album: The Turning Point Soundtrack So Hard To Share John Mayall 1970 Live performance The Laws Must Change John Mayall 1971 Live performance My Pretty Girl John Mayall 1971 Live performance Mess Around John Mayall 1971 Gasoline Blues John Mayall 1982 Composition: T-Bone Walker Live with Albert King Stormy Monday John Mayall 1984 Live performance Room To Move John Mayall 1993 Live performance The Bear John Mayall 2003 Composition: Albert King Live performance Oh, Pretty Woman John Mayall 2007 Live performance So Many Roads John Mayall 2011 Live performance All Your Love	John Mayall
	This is an old page no longer updated. Please see the history tree immediately below to help you navigate.