1112+Legends+of+the+Blues

= Legends of the Blues =

Blues is a very popular musical style that goes back to the slavery days [1]. There were many famous blues artists who were involved in the blues. For example, Ray Charles, Mahalia Jackson, and Jeff Beck [3]. On this page you will learn about past and present blues musicians, singers, and songs.

Famous Blues Artists
Bill Broonzy was a fiddler that was born on June 6th, 1893 in Scott, Mississippi [3]. When Bill Broonzy grew up, he lived in Chicago, and started playing the guitar. Bill Broonzy died from throat cancer on August 15, 1958 at the age of 55. Bill Broonzy made many songs. A few of them are All By Myself, Key to the Highway, When will I get to be Called a Man, and Big Bill Blues [3].Louis Armstrong was a great jazz improviser that was born on August 4,1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana[4]. Louis Armstrong died in his sleep on July 6th, 1971 [4]. Ray Charles was a pianist and a singer [4]. Ray Charles was known as the Father of Soul and was often called "The Genius"[5]. Ray Charles lost his eyesight when he was 7 years. He died on June 10th, 2004 in Beverly Hills, California age 73 at death [3]. Also, Bessie Smith was known as the "Empress of Blues" and very big at her time. Bessie was born on April 15, 1894 according to census. Died September 26 1937 aged 43 years. Willie Brown was born August 6th 1900 in Clarksdale, Mississippi [3]. Willie Brown was guitarist and a singer [3]. Willie Brown disappeared from the blues in the 1940s and later after that died on December 30th, 1952 in Tunica, Mississippi [3]. Mahalia Jackson was born on October 26th, 1911 in New Orleans Louisiana. Mahalia Jackson was a singer. When Mahalia Jackson was 16 she moved to Chicago. Mahalia Jackson sang before Martin Luther King Jr. did his "I had a dream speech" [1]. Mahalia Jackson won a Grammy in the1990's after her death which was on January 27th, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois [7]. Jeff Beck was born June 24, 1944 in Surrey England. Jeff Beck is a guitarist [3]. Jeff Beck is to this day an inspiration to many young guitarists [3]. Jeff Beck is still alive as of February 9th, 2012 [3]. Jeff Beck is also in the Hall of Fame, and he was also at the Hall of Fame Concert [3]. Many people prefer Joe Banamassa who is very popular and is very talented.



Famous Blues Music
One of the most famous blues songs was "You Upset me Baby" by B.B. King [2]. This song was published in 1925 [2]. Another great blues song is "The Thrill is Gone" by B.B. King [8]. In addition, another song that was very popular for its words was "Hellhound on my Trail" by Robert Johnson. One song that was a favorite was "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Waters [3]. All of these people are legendary artists that will always be remembered. "Dust my Broom" was a very popular song that was created by Elmore James [2]. Elmore James also created "It Hurts me Too". Another hit song was " How Many More Years" by Howlin' Wolf. It was originally recorded it 1951 [2]. Everybody loved "Alabama Blues" by Peter Green [2]. Another great song was "Hit the Road Jack" written by Percy Mayfield, however it bacame famous only after Ray Charles recorded it. This song was a hit number for a long time, even listened today, since 1961.[12] "What Child Is This", "Trouble of the World", were some of the well-known songs performed by Mahalia Jackson, queen of gospel. Whether or not we prefer sacred vocal music, we cannot help but be moved by the passion and power with which Mahalia Jackson sings "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" and the spiritual "Go Tell it on the Mountain."[13]

Who started the Blues?
The blues started in the days of slavery [1]. The owned slaves were worked very hard and were very sad, so to bring their joy up they sang something called the blues [1]. So technically, the slaves created the blues. There were many people who loved the blues and the blues went deep inside their souls. Today, we have many versions of blues and many blues artists and songs. Present blues songs might sound very different than past blues songs because back then we may have not had the instruments that we have today. Many legendary blues artists have passed away and will be remembered forever, but new artists will be born. The blues may not feel as heartfelt as back in the slavery days, but many people remember how hard it was in the slavery days and use that heartfelt singing to make it sound like the great originals.

From the days of the present to the days of the past, Blues was and is a very important type of music, style, and a way of life. The Blues has been around for many generations and is very special to many people. So when you hear the Blues, think about the millions of people who created The Blues. And remember, the Blues isn't just a music style but a way of life.

__References__
1. Lester, Julius, and Lisa Cohen. //The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World//. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion for Children, 2001. Print 2. "WordPress.com — Get a Free Blog Here" //WordPress.com — Get a Free Blog Here//.N.P., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. . 3. "PBS: Public Broadcasting Service." //PBS: Public Broadcasting Service//. N.P., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. [|http://pbs.org] 4. //About.com: Need. Know. Accomplish.// Web. 08 Feb. 2012. [|http://about.com]. 5. Wilder, Stephanie. //Legends of the Blues//. Glenview, IL: Pearson/Scott Foresman, 2005. Print. 6. S//oul Blues Music Aka Blues Critic Media Southern Soul Blues //. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. . 7. Stock, Catherine. //Lakewood Public Library (Lakewood, Ohio) //. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. . 8. //DigitalDreamDoor.com - Home Page - Index for Greatest Music, Movie, and Book Lists //. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. . 9. //Song Meanings at Songfacts //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 15px;">. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. [|http://www.songfacts.com]. 10. A Brief History of the Blues. //Jazz - All About Jazz//. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18724 11. "Trail of the Hellhound: Elmore James." //National Park Service Cultural Resources Discover History//. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. []. 12."Ray Charles." //Ray Charles//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. []. 13. "Mahalia Jackson - Queen of Gospel." //Mahalia Jackson - Queen of Gospel//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mahaliajackson.us/biography