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Publishing of W.C. Handy's "Memphis Blues"
"Memphis Blues" was one of the earliest published blues songs in history, and marked as one of the grand emergence of blues. -
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BLUES TIMELINE BL
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Rise of Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith recorded her famous song, "Downhearted Blues", and she was informally formally named as the "Empress of the Blues". -
Charley Patton's Early Recordings
Charley Patton AKA "Father of the Delta Blues" recorded his earliest influential songs such as "Pony Blues", which later became distinguished in Blues history. -
Muddy Waters Recording
Alan Lomax recorded his famous Delta Blues song, "Muddy Waters" in Mississippi for the Library of Congress. -
Blues Migrates to Memphis
Memphis becomes a hot spot for blues, and influences the genre of blues known as "Memphis Blues", especially solidified when B.B. king moved to Memphis and heavily influenced the music there. Beale street rises as a well known street flourishing with blues culture. -
Howlin' Wolf's 1st Recording
Howlin' Wolf recorded his first tracks in Memphis. They became important as an influence, and he became important as a figure in Chicago blues. -
Newport Folk Festival Includes Blues
The Newport Folk Festival featured Blues music, including the artist John Lee Hooker. -
British Blues Rise
The Blues Breakers John Mayall ft. Eric Clapton released the album Blues Breaker. This album was a defining moment for British Blues and Blues Rock. -
Crossroads Guitar Festival
Eric Clapton released the Album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs with Derek and The Dominos. It was inspired by the Blues and Robert Johnsons "crossroads" myth, the album was officially a Blues-Rock genre, and the album was performed. It sparked the interest in the Blues again in the public eye. -
The Birth of The Beale Street Music Festival
Memphis created The Beale Street Music Festival, meant to celebrate Blues and other genres once a year. -
The Blues Foundation Creates the W.C. Handy Blues Awards
The Blues Foundation created the W.C. Hand Blues Award which was created to recognize Blues talent and excellence. These are some of the most prestigious awards in the Blues genre. -
Blues Music Recognition at The Grammy's
The Grammy's announced the very 1st award for Best Traditional Blues Recording. It was won by Muddy Waters for his album "Muddy 'Mississippi' Waters Live". -
International Blues Challenge
The Blues Foundation hosted the very 1st International Blues Challenge in Memphis, which created the opportunity for emerging talent in Blues to showcase it to the world. -
Stevie Ray Vaughn's Death
Stevie Ray Vaughn, was an important figure in Blues. He was musician and apart of a Blues Rock trio. He died at 35 years old in a tragic helicopter crash. He left a legacy. -
B.B. King's Death
B.B. King passed away after a life of paving the way for Blues to thrive, and was a one of a kind blues performer, musician, and composer. One of the most iconic blues musician of all time. The world mourned him, and his impact on Blues music is forever lasting.