-
Period: to
The Blues
-
Blues Songs First Recorded
The first blues songs are published as sheet music. Including W.C. Handy's "Memphis Blues." -
Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey
Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey make their recording debuts. -
Folk Blues Debuts
Ralph Peer makes his first field recordings in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the recording debut of both the folk blues and what will later be called country music -
New Recording Technology
Electrical recording technology is introduced. -
The Great Depression
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 signals the Great Depression in the United States. The recording industry is crippled by the plummeting sales of records and phonographs. -
Robert Johnson
Legendary Delta bluesman Robert Johnson begins his short recording career. -
Electric Guitar
Eddie Durham records the first music featuring the electric guitar. Developed by musician, George Beauchamp, and engineer, Adolph Rickenbacher, this instrument will help transform the sound of the blues. -
US Enters World War II
Japanese bombing attack on Pearl Harbor marks the entry of the US into world war II. -
Muddy Waters and Chicago Blues
Muddy Waters makes his first Chicago recording. -
Chess Records is Founded
Brothers Leonard and Phil Chess found Chess records and it soon becomes known as the quintessential Blues label, picking up such Blues superstars as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon, and Chuck Berry. -
Elvis Begins Career with a Blues Song
Elvis's first recording session at Sun Studio turned into an instant success after he played an Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup song. He quickly skyrocketed to fame and fortune. -
The Rolling Stones Formed as a Blues Band
Influenced by Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones are formed as a Blues band -
The Blues Hall of Fame Founded
The Blues Foundation created the Blues Hall of Fame. It's members are some of the greatest in Blues history. -
Robert Johnson Re-Released
Columbia's release of the complete Robert Johnson recordings on CD go gold and sell 400,00 albums in six months -
"Year of the Blues"
Congress declares 2003 the "Year of the Blues."
