Expert: George Armstrong - 12/17/2008

Question
What are some major events in blues history

Answer
Hello John,

Blues started as "Call Outs" in the rural Southern USA; such as "I've been workin' all day long", "yah yah, Yah yah".
This was a major event that led to the start of this genre.

It spread to back porches, and the use of musical instruments.
First there was banjo, washboard, Harp, and other rural instruments. Then the use of guitar. In the 1890's artists began performing the blues. Gospel intermixed with the blues. In the early 1900's groups and female artists emerged. The next event was recordings. Blues then influences Jazz and Jive, Hep Harmony, and other sub genres.

The use of electric instruments followed. World War 2 had an impact, and after WW2 rural blues started to decline as artists began to migrate to big cities. Independent labels emerged.

During the 1960's and early 70's Artists began playing to younger mixed crowds. At that time young white artists started playing the blues. Major labels began to carry blues artists. FM Radio stations began to offer blues programs. Recently, the Internet has had an impact. Thanks for this question! I didn't hit every event, but I hope this helps! Regards, George Armstrong