The Origins and History of the blues

Blues is not just a form of music. Blues is an emotion, a feeling. Blues is a
way of life.

The following is a very brief history of the origins of Blues. I could go on all
day about this but, I am sure you don't want that!!

The exact origins of Blues are unknown. It is believed to be derived from
the work songs of African-American slaves dating back to the 19th Century...

The first blues recording was a self-published song called
"The Memphis Blues." It was recorded in 1912 by W.C. Handy. But it didn't
become popular until 1914, when it was re-recorded by both the Victor
Military Band and Columbia's Prince's Band. It continues to be both played
and recorded today. Because of this W.C. Handy is credited for inventing
the Blues, which is, I would like to believe, untrue. One person didn't invent
the Blues.

However, Blues didn't come to the masses until the 1920's, when singers like Ma Rainey, and Mamie and
Bessie Smith recorded in the classic (think vaudeville) Blues style with Jazz bands. And artists like Charley
Patton, Lead Belly, and Robert Johnson recorded in the Mississippi Delta style. The latter is widely regarded
as the finest blues player ever, with the infamous story being that he couldn't play at all, and then one day
he sold his soul to the devil at a Crossroads. When he returned, he could play like no one else had ever
played and went on to record some of the finest blues records ever made before dying mysteriously, aged
27.

The migration north evolved into the urban blues style, commonly
called 'Chicago Blues'. First with an acoustic sound recorded by guys
like Robert Nighthawk, Willie Dixon, and John Lee "Sonny Boy"
Williamson. Then, after World War II, in the famous electric style made
popular by greats like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Blues was about
to explode.

But "The King of Blues," B.B. King, didn't arrive on the scene till the 50's.
He and others developed the R&B blues sound, which finally brought
blues to the top of the pop charts. If you don't own a BB King record,
then do not do absolutely anything until this has been rectified. Life
changing stuff indeed.

The success of 'the three kings' (BB, Albert and Freddie), Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Bo
Diddley, Robert Johnson etc led to the music, for the first time, being taken to other shores. Most notably,
England where it was picked up by young bands like The Rolling Stones, The Yard Birds and The Beatles
taking this very American and very Black music to an international and mixed race audience.

From there, the rest is history and whatever music you are into, it can be traced back to Jazz and Blues.

Pay your respects. You will thank me.