Times of the Blues

Slaves Came to America

1816

In 1816 slaves came to America. Without slaves the Blues would have never been created.

The Show the Minsteral

1830

This was a show with African American performers that showed how they felt. They sang Jump Jim Crow which began to show how music was a outlet for them.

Emancipation Proclamtion

1863

Abraham Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation which frees all of the slaves.

Published Slave songs

1867

All of the song that slaves had made became published.

Maple Leaf Rag

1899

Maple Lead Rag was published and became a huge influence on Blues music.

Black Music Recorded

1902

In 1902 black music was first recorded.

First Recorded Blues Song

1912

In 1912 the Memphis Blues published first sheet music.

Mamie Smith

1920

Mamie Smith had the first Blues hit called Crazy Blues.

Folk Blues

1923

Ralph Peer makes his first record in Georgia. Making the debut for folk blues.

Great Depression

1929

The Great Depression starts, the stock market crashes. Many people loose jobs and their houses and no one really has money.

Robert Johnson

1936

Robert Johnson starts his career in Blues music and becomes one of the most remembered.

Muddy Waters

1941

Muddy Waters is recorded by Alan Lomax and becomes one of the most popular Blues songs known.

Chicago Blues and Muddy Waters

1941

Muddy Waters made his first Chicago Blues recording making himself a dominant figure in Chicago Blues.

Birth of Rhythm and Blues

1949

The term "race" gets substituted for "rhythm and blues".

Year of Blues

2003

In 2003 the year of Blues is declared.