Blues Quiz C-010

Marion Walter Jacobs (1930–1968), known as Little Walter, recorded 'Juke' in 1952 at Chess Studios. It became the first (and still one of the only) instrumental blues harmonica singles to reach #1 on the R&B charts, staying there for 8 weeks. He revolutionized the instrument by amplifying it through a microphone cupped in his hands, creating the distorted, powerful tone that became the standard for Chicago blues harmonica.

Aaron Thibeaux 'T-Bone' Walker (1910–1975) was the first blues musician to use an electric guitar as a lead instrument. His 1947 recording 'Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)' is one of the most covered blues songs ever. He also pioneered showmanship – playing guitar behind his head and doing the splits, moves later adopted by Jimi Hendrix and Chuck Berry.

Knut Reiersrud (b. 1961) is Norway's most internationally acclaimed blues and roots musician. A master of bottleneck slide guitar, he has collaborated with artists across the globe – from Mali to Mississippi – blending Norwegian folk traditions with deep Delta blues. He has won multiple Spellemannpriser and performed at major blues festivals worldwide.

That soulful, powerful voice is Etta James performing 'At Last' – her signature song and one of the most iconic recordings in blues and R&B history.

Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram (b. 1999) from Clarksdale, Mississippi – the birthplace of Delta blues – won a Grammy in 2022 for his album '662' (named after Clarksdale's area code). Mentored by Buddy Guy and endorsed by blues royalty, he represents the living connection between Delta blues' past and future. His 2019 debut 'Kingfish' was produced by Tom Hambridge.

John Mayall (1933–2024), 'The Godfather of British Blues,' led his Bluesbreakers as a revolving-door training ground for Britain's greatest guitarists. Eric Clapton (1965–66), Peter Green (1966–67), and Mick Taylor (1967–69) all served apprenticeships in the band before forming Cream, Fleetwood Mac, and joining The Rolling Stones respectively.

Albert King (1923–1992) played a right-handed Gibson Flying V upside down as a left-hander, meaning he pulled the strings downward for his bends instead of pushing them up. This gave him his signature powerful, vocal-like string bending style that directly influenced Stevie Ray Vaughan, who called Albert 'the master.' His 1967 album 'Born Under a Bad Sign' is a cornerstone of modern blues.

That signature vibrato and warm 'Lucille' tone is unmistakably B.B. King performing 'The Thrill Is Gone' live at Crossroads 2010.

Chess Records, founded by Polish-American brothers Leonard and Phil Chess in 1950, was headquartered at 2120 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago. It was home to Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Etta James, and Chuck Berry. The Rolling Stones made a pilgrimage there in 1964 and recorded '2120 South Michigan Avenue' as a tribute.

Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990) died in a helicopter crash at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin on August 27, 1990, just hours after performing alongside Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray. He was 35 years old and had just overcome addiction. His album 'Texas Flood' (1983) is considered one of the greatest blues albums ever recorded.