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Blues Moves to Chicago and gets Electrified

1940’s and 50’s Mississippi River to Chicago-the industrial revolution hits the northern

cities of the United States, Detroit, Cleveland, St. Louis, but especially Chicago become filled with factories needing workers

The Train….Chariot to the Promised Land-the train now begins to come down into the

deep south…

Chicago…the promised land!…bringing word that these cities are in demand of labour. The money the opportunities to be had are far beyond any in the cotton fields of the deep south

The migration of 20 million blacks to the northern cities of the US begins.

-by World War II millions of blacks have made the move. Other cities between the Delta and the Great Lakes, like Memphis and St. Louis would also flourish and become blues hotbeds but Chicago would grow the largest blues scene of any of the Midwestern cities.

Blues music is transported to the cities also

“Chicago Bound”By Jimmy Rogers

(press play on old school tape)

“Chess” recording artist, backed up Muddy Waters

Traces the journey blues would take

Notice what the back beat rhythm sounds like?

Blues musicians often pay tribute to the train.

Remind me, and I’ll play you mine.

BB KingRiley “Blues Boy”

KingMemphis Blues More horns, due to

the riverboats dropping off all those Jazz players

BB King is now considered “King of the Blues” and is probably blues music’s most recognized face.

He and his guitar “Lucille” used to play over 300 shows a year, now in his 80’s he’s slowed down but still touring

Muddy WatersGiven name was McKinley MorganfieldMoved to Chicago from Mississippi.Born in Rolling Fork Mississippi

-the electric guitar is invented by Les Paul and adopted by Muddy Watters

Big Sound for Big Audiences

Big Sound for Big AudiencesThousands of folks want to hear their kind of musicAmplification could allow guitars and harmonicas to fill up a room

This is the “Hoochie Coochie” Man

Chicago’s blues seen would develop in it’s black community on the south side

Chess Records would beginSpecializing in Chicago’s black musiciansSome did well, some were taken advantage of

Little Walter

Bo Diddley

Chuck Berry

Notice the colour of the audience?

What do you think happens to blues next?