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W.C Handy
rumor has it that one day while waiting a a train in Mississippi W.C. Handy heard a bluesman playing a sliding guitar and singing. He called it "the weirdest music he had ever heard" -
sheet music
First publication of blues sheet music was in 1908 -
when it became popular
Blues music started to become popular around 1911-1914 due to the African-American composer W.C. Handy -
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson was born on May 8, 1911, he died at the age of 27 and did not really become famous until some time after his death -
first published music
One of the first published blues songs was "Dallas Blues" in 1912 -
Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters in born. He is often known as the father of chiago blues and played a huge part in blues histery. He is know for having such songs as "Hoochie Coochie Man". His record company was Aristocrat Records. He passed away on April 30, 1983 -
recordings
Blues music was recodered as early as 1913 -
Bessie Smith
Sometimes refered to as the emperess of blues she was among one of the most famous singers in the 1920's and in the 1930's -
Aristocrat Records
Founded in April of 1947 by Charles and Evelyn Aron along with their parenets Fred and Mildred Bount and Art Spiegel -
Little Walter
Known for his amazing skills on the harmonica Little Walter joined Muddy Waters band in 1948. He worked with Chess Records and produced songs such as "My Babe" and "Juke". He passed away on February 15, 1968 at the age on 37, he was entered into the hall of fame in 2008. -
BB King
Known as the King of the Blues BB King got his big break in 1948 when he perfored on Sonny Boy Williamson's radio show. -
Chess Records
Founded in 1950 by brothers Leonard and Phil Chess in Chicago,IL the company was the home for many recording artist such as Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, and Etta James -
Howlin Wolf
In 1952 famous singer Howlin Wolf signed a contract with Chess Records and went on to record many songs such as "Smokestack Lighning" "Moaning at Midnight" and many more. -
Ray Charles
In June of 1952 Ray Charles signed a contract with Atlantic Records Through out his career he would go on to produce songs such as "I Got a Woman' , "Mess Around" and many more. He was married twice and had 12 children with 9 different women. -
Etta James
Etta's Career started in 1954. She signed with Chess Records in 1960. Some of her most popular songs are "All I Could Do Was Cry", "At Last", and "I'd Rather Go Blind"
