Origins of Rock and Roll

1. Origins of Rock and Roll Early Pioneers Sing the Blues

2. Muddy Waters • Guitar player and vocalist • Hit big in Chicago • Influenced such acts as The Rolling Stones (named after one of his songs), Johnny Winter and Eric Clapton

3. Howlin’ Wolf • Memphis guitar player and singer • Originally signed by Sam Philips • Released by Philips and signed with Chess Records • Became rival with Muddy Waters at Chess Records • Howled in his music because he couldn’t yodel

4. Robert Johnson • Blues guitarist and song writer • Story tells of him selling his soul to the devil to help improve guitar playing while at ‘the crossroads’ • Disappeared for a few years and came back much improved guitar player. • Myth furthered along by mysterious death • Something happened to him at a bar and he died three days later

5. Etta James • Grew up singing Gospel in Los Angeles • Left to pursue music against wishes of her mother • Landed at Chess Records in Chicago • Transitioned easily into R & B

6. Bo Diddley • Guitar player, vocalist • Developed skills with guitar in Chicago • Regular in South Side Chicago clubs by age of 32 • Influenced such artists as Buddy Holly and The Who

7. John Lee Hooker • Guitar player, vocalist • Started playing in Memphis • Left Memphis and settled in Detroit • Influenced British bands such as The Yardbirds and The Animals

8. Elmore James • Guitarist • Mastered Slide Guitar • Major influence on B.B. King and Chuck Berry and hard rock of late 1960’s • Played in spare time; focused on work as radio repairman

9. B.B. King • ‘Blues Boy’ King was influenced by country and gospel music • Named his guitar ‘Lucille’; named after woman who inspired bar brawl • Often referred to as the reigning ‘King of the Blues’