Blues Quiz C-013

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.

Little Walter revolutionized blues harmonica by mastering 'cross harp' (2nd position) – playing a harmonica in a different key than it's tuned to, which allows for more expressive bending and blue notes. Combined with his innovation of amplifying the harmonica through a cupped microphone, he created a sound so powerful that the harmonica became a lead instrument rivaling the guitar.

'The Thrill Is Gone' was written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell and first recorded by Hawkins in 1951 for Modern Records. B.B. King's iconic 1969 version, recorded at the Hit Factory in New York with lush string arrangements by Bert de Coteaux, reached #3 on the R&B charts and won a Grammy. It became the most recognizable blues song in the world.

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.

Shemekia Copeland (b. 1979) is the daughter of Houston-born Texas blues guitarist Johnny Copeland (1937–1997), who won a Grammy in 1985 for 'Showdown!' alongside Albert Collins and Robert Cray. Shemekia made her stage debut at age 8 at Harlem's Cotton Club and has won multiple Blues Music Awards, carrying on her father's legacy with a voice that can shake buildings.

'Hoochie Coochie Man' was written by Willie Dixon and recorded by Muddy Waters at Chess Studios in January 1954. It reached #3 on the R&B charts and became one of the most covered songs in blues history. Dixon was the creative mastermind behind Chess Records, writing hits for Muddy, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Koko Taylor.

'Crazy Blues' by Mamie Smith, recorded on August 10, 1920 for Okeh Records in New York, is considered the first commercially successful blues recording. It sold 75,000 copies in its first month and over one million total, proving that there was a massive market for African American music and launching the 'race records' era.

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

Erja Lyytinen (b. 1976) from Kuopio, Finland, is one of Europe's finest blues guitarists, known internationally for her exceptional slide guitar technique. She studied at the Helsinki Conservatory and Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, and has been called 'the new Empress of the Blues' by Guitar World magazine. She has performed with Joe Bonamassa and at major festivals worldwide.

Robert Johnson (1911–1938) wrote and recorded 'Cross Road Blues' at the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas on November 27, 1936. The song, about standing at a crossroads trying to hitch a ride, later inspired the myth of Johnson selling his soul to the devil. Eric Clapton's cover with Cream ('Crossroads') in 1968 brought this Delta classic to a worldwide rock audience.