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Period: to
The Blues
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Slaves Arrive in America
Slaves arrive in Jamestown, Virginia, on a Dutch Trading ship. -
Civil War Begins
The civil war begins in divided United States. -
Slavery Abolished
Slavery is offically abolished by the Thirteenth Amendment. -
Maple Leaf Rag
The Maple Leaf Rag if first published by Scott Joplin -
First Documentation of the Blues
W.C. Handy views a man playing a guitar at a train station with a pocketknife. His description is regarded as the first documentation of the blues. -
The term "blues" first appeares
“The Dallas Blues” by Harta Wand contains the first appearance of the word ‘blues’ in a piece of music:. -
Ralph Peer recordes for Okeh Records
This smashing hit helped Okeh records start producing many Blues songs. -
Crazy Blues is recorded
"Crazy Blues" is recorded by Mamie Smith. This is considered the first recording of music by a African American artists with a target audience of African Americans. -
Lemon Jefferson dies Chicago
Lemon Jefferson dies in Chicago. His music had a huge influence on the blues in America. -
First Electric Guitar
Inventors come out with the first electric guitar, which would later change the blues forever. -
Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup records “That’s Alright Mama”
This song was later sung by Elvis, who used the famous blues song to create the new genre "Rock and Roll." -
Elvis Sings the Blues
Elvis records at Sun Studio a song that was later described as a combination of Blues and Hillbilly Country with a twist. -
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones is created as a blues band. -
James Meredith is shot
James Meredith, an important civil rights leader, is shot during a civil rights march. This influenced later blues songs to convey the inequality in America. -
"The Thrill is Gone" is Published
B.B. King releases the thrill is gone, one of the most popular blues songs of all time.
