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Early Blues: The First Stars of Blues Guitar

Harry Hayes

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The early blues emerged in the late 19th century as a form of folk music that expressed the experiences and struggles of African Americans living in the rural South. Blues music is characterized by its use of a 12-bar chord progression, call-and-response vocals, and guitar playing that often features slide, bottleneck, or open tuning.

Some of the most influential early blues guitarists include Robert Johnson, Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Charley Patton. These musicians helped to develop the blues guitar style that would later influence countless other guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and B.B. King.

Early Blues: The First Stars of Blues Guitar

by George W. Grant

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6430 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	224 pages

Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson is one of the most legendary blues guitarists of all time. He was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, in 1911, and began playing guitar at a young age. Johnson's early influences included Son House and Blind Lemon Jefferson, but he quickly developed his own unique style of playing that was characterized by its use of complex fingerpicking patterns and slide guitar.

Johnson's career was cut short when he was shot and killed in 1938, but his music has had a profound influence on generations of blues guitarists. His songs have been recorded by countless artists, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones.

Son House

Son House was born in Lyon, Mississippi, in 1886. He began playing guitar as a child and quickly became known for his powerful vocals and distinctive guitar style. House's music was influenced by a variety of sources, including gospel music, work songs, and traditional blues.

House's career spanned several decades, and he performed with a variety of other blues musicians, including Charley Patton and Muddy Waters. He was rediscovered by the folk music revival movement in the 1960s and continued to perform until his death in 1988.

Blind Lemon Jefferson

Blind Lemon Jefferson was born in Corsicana, Texas, in 1897. He lost his sight at the age of seven, but he quickly learned to play guitar and sing. Jefferson's music was influenced by a variety of sources, including gospel music, ragtime, and traditional blues.

Jefferson was one of the most popular blues musicians of the 1920s and 1930s. He recorded over 100 songs for Paramount Records, and his music had a profound influence on generations of blues guitarists. Jefferson died in 1949, but his music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Charley Patton

Charley Patton was born in Edwards, Mississippi, in 1891. He began playing guitar at a young age and quickly became known for his powerful vocals and distinctive guitar style. Patton's music was influenced by a variety of sources, including gospel music, work songs, and traditional blues.

Patton was one of the most popular blues musicians of the 1920s and 1930s. He recorded over 100 songs for Paramount Records, and his music had a profound influence on generations of blues guitarists. Patton died in 1934, but his music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

The early blues guitarists were some of the most influential musicians in American history. Their music helped to develop the blues genre and had a profound impact on countless other guitarists. The music of Robert Johnson, Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Charley Patton continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Additional Resources

* [The Blues Foundation](https://blues.org/) * [The Delta Blues Museum](https://deltabluesmuseum.org/) * [The Mississippi Blues Trail](https://www.msbluestrail.org/)

Early Blues: The First Stars of Blues Guitar

by George W. Grant

4.6 out of 5