Blues Quiz C-012

Elmore James (1918–1963) recorded his electrified version of 'Dust My Broom' for Trumpet Records in Jackson, Mississippi in 1951, with Sonny Boy Williamson II on harmonica. The opening slide guitar riff – based on Robert Johnson's 1936 original – became one of the most recognizable in all of blues and has been copied by countless guitarists.

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.

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

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.

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.

That powerful, growling voice belongs to Howlin' Wolf performing 'Smokestack Lightning' – one of the most distinctive vocal styles in all of blues.

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.

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.