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First Slaves Arrive in America
The origin of blues music is rooted in slavery and the music carried over from Africa. -
Beginning of Jim Crow Laws
This marked the beginning of the terrible Jim Crow laws that segregated races and inspired a lot of blues music. -
Phonograph Invented
The phonograph is invented by Thomas Edison, allowing music to be recorded and distributed. -
"Maple Leaf Rag" is published
Scott Joplin, a major ragtime artist, publishes "Maple Leaf Rag" and establishes Blues and Tin Pan Ally as popular music. -
"Dallas Blues"
First copyrighted and published blues song. -
The Great Migration begins
The Great Migration was the mass wave of African Americans moving from the rural South to cities in the north. This lead to the "Chicago Blues" genre. -
B.B. King is born
B.B. King, one of the most influential blues artists of all time is born. -
Black Tuesday
The stock market crashes and sends the country into depression, fueling many blues artists to create music. -
Blue Bird Records founded
Blue Bird records was one of the first major record labels to produce blues music, specifically Chicago blues. -
"Milk Cow Blues" released
Considered to be the first published Delta Blues son, "Milk Cow Blues" is released by Kokomo Arnold. -
Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" released
One of the first big blues hits in America is released to the public. -
Les Paul creates "The Log"
Les Paul creates one of the earliest electric guitars that is used and improved upon and serves as the foundation of many blues songs. -
"My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" Recorded
Elvis Presley begins his musical career with his first blues recordings. -
British Invasion Begins
Bands like the Rolling Stones create a new type of Blues called blues rock that is more accessible to mass audiences. -
"The Thrill is Gone" released
One of the most influential blues songs of time by B.B. king is released.
