The Blues

Roots of the Blues Distinct African-American art form work songs Folk Spirituals and Gospel Popular music Grew from slave culture

Artists to know Robert Johnson Bessie Smith Howlin’ Wolf Muddy Waters John Lee Hooker

Blues Quotes

The Blues and its influence on Popular Music

Famous bands influenced by The Blues Elvis Presley Led Zeppelin Black Sabbath White Stripes The Clash The Ramones

Robert Johnson Born in 1911 King of the Delta Blues Famous songs: “Cross roads Blues”,

“Sweet Home Chicago”, “Hellhound on My Trail”

Took the pain of living during The Depression, abject poverty, life as a traveling musician and transformed his pain through music

Robert Johnson’s life Not much is known about his life Folklore has grown around his legend One famous story: Cross roads

Musicology 12 Bars, 6 bar blues Blues Scale (scale with third and

seventh notes flattened) Mississippi Delta Blues Chicago Blues Electric Blues

Lyrics Narritive Pain, everyday life Simple relatable lyrics to connect with

the listener Catharsis

Famous Blues Artists Early County Blues Robert Johnson Lead Belly Ma Rainey Bessie Smith Mississippi John Hurt Sonny Boy Williamson II

More Artists Early Urban Blues Mamie Smith Chicago/Detroit Blues Muddy Waters Buddy Guy Paul Butterfield John Lee Hooker Howlin’ Wolf