Blues Music in History

Blues: Ragtime

Events in Music

Memphis Blues

1912-09-27 W. C. Handy publishes "Memphis Blues", considered the 1st blues song

  • 1914-09-11 W. C. Handy "Father of the Blues" publishes his most famous composition "St Louis Blues"
  • 1917-02-26 1st jazz records recorded - "Dixie Jazz Band One Step" and "Livery Stable Blues" by Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company in NYC
  • 1917-03-07 1st jazz record released on a 78 by Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company ("Dixie Jazz Band One Step," one side "Livery Stable Blues" other)
  • 1920-08-10 Mamie Smith and her Jazz Hounds record “Crazy Blues” for Okeh Records, first significant Blues hit by African American artist
  • 1924-06-09 "Jelly-Roll Blues" is recorded by American jazz pioneer pianist and composer Jelly Roll Morton

Creole Love Song

1927-10-26 American jazz vocalist Adelaide Hall makes her 1st recordings - "Creole Love Call" and "Blues I Love to Sing" - with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, for Victor Records in Camden, New Jersey

Music History

1928-06-28 Louis Armstrong makes 78 recording of "West End Blues"

  • 1928-12-28 Ma Rainey, "Mother of the Blues" makes her last record - "Big Feelin' Blues"
  • 1931-01-22 Jazz trumpeter Clyde McCoy records "Sugar Blues" for Columbia Records; sells over 14 million copies internationally

Robert Johnson's Ist Recording Session

1936-11-23 Legendary Delta blues musician Robert Johnson's first recording session with producer Don Law at the Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas

  • 1937-06-19 Second of two legendary recording sessions by Delta Blues musician Robert Johnson with producer Don Law at the Vitagraph Studios, Dallas, Texas
  • 1940-02-20 Larry Clinton & his Orchestra record "Limehouse Blues"

Lovesick Blues

1949-02-11 "Lovesick Blues" single released by Hank Williams (Cashbox "Best Hillbilly Record of the Year", Billboard Song of the Year 1949)

"3 O’Clock Blues"

1952-02-02 B.B. King's “3 O’Clock Blues” hits #1 on the US Billboard's R&B hit parade to become his first national hit

  • 1952-08-13 Blues singer Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton records "Hound Dog" song, written a day earlier especially for her by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, at Radio Recorders Studio in Los Angeles, California

Folsom Prison Blues

1955-12-15 "Folsom Prison Blues" single released by Johnny Cash (Billboard Song of the Year 1968)

  • 1956-12-08 Guy Mitchell's "Singing the Blues" single goes #1 for 10 weeks
  • 1958-09-29 "Summertime Blues" by Eddie Cochran peaks at #8 in US; #18 in UK
  • 1963-03-03 American country blues musician "Mississippi" John Hurt 're-discovered' by musicologist Tom Hoskins in Avalon, Mississippi [1]

Music History

1963-04-14 Quiet Beatle George Harrison is impressed by unsigned British blues band "Rolling Stones"

Blues for Mister Charlie

1964-04-23 James Baldwin's stage drama "Blues for Mister Charlie", directed by Burgess Meredith, opens at the ANTA Playhouse, NYC; runs for 148 performances

Music History

1965-03-13 British guitarist Eric Clapton quits the Yardbirds due to the band moving away from traditional blues; Jeff Beck becomes his replacement

Miami Pop Festival

1968-12-28 100,000 attend Miami Pop Festival in Florida; performers included: The Jimi Hendrix Experience; The Mothers of Invention; Chuck Berry; John Lee Hooker; The Crazy World of Arthur Brown; and Blues Image

Music History

1969-10-11 American blues musician Muddy Waters involved in a car crash that kills 3

Debut of Janis Joplin

1970-06-12 Rocker and blues singer Janis Joplin debuts in Kentucky

Slow Blues

1970-08-27 Jimi Hendrix creates his last studio recording at Electric Lady Studios in NYC, an instrumental called "Slow Blues"

Beaucoups of Blues

1970-09-25 Ringo Starr releases his 2nd solo album "Beaucoups of Blues", a collection of country music recorded in Nashville, Tennessee

  • 1972-08-05 Moody Blues re-issue their 1967 single "Nights in White Satin", and it reaches #2 on US charts, higher than the initial release
  • 1974-07-17 The Moody Blues open 1st quadrophonic recording studio in UK

Briefcase Full of Blues

1978-11-28 Atlantic Records releases "Briefcase Full of Blues", the debut album by The Blues Brothers (Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi); album tops the chart and becomes best-selling blues record of all-time

  • 1980-06-16 Musical comedy film "The Blues Brothers", starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, and directed by John Landis, premieres in Chicago, Illinois
  • 1980-06-20 Musical comedy film "The Blues Brothers", starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, and featuring appearances by Aretha Franklin; Cab Calloway; and Ray Charles opens in 594 theaters
  • 1982-06-02 "Blues in the Night" opens at Rialto Theater NYC for 53 performances

Music History

1982-06-18 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Van Morrison and Jackson Browne headline; other performers include: Osibisa, Judie Tzuke, Richie Havens, Aswad, Steel Pulse, Thompson Twins, Climax Blues Band, Talisman, and Incubus

  • 1982-07-18 "Blues in the Night" closes at Rialto Theater NYC after 53 performances
  • 1984-08-07 Harmonica Frank [Floyd], American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player dies of lung cancer and diabetes complications at 75

Music History

1985-06-22 "Smuggler's Blues" by Glenn Frey peaks at #12

  • 1995-03-10 Chiel Meijering's "St Louis Blues" premieres in Arnhem
  • 2006-12-15 American blues legend B.B. King is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President George W. Bush

FA Cup Final

2007-05-19 English FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium, London (89,826): Chelsea beats Manchester United, 1 – 0 (a.e.t.); Didier Drogba scores 116' winner for Blues' 4th title

  • 2014-10-03 Blues guitarist and singer B.B. King's last live performance, at the House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

2015-04-18 30th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band; Green Day; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts; Lou Reed; Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble; Bill Withers; The "5" Royals; and Ringo Starr


Birthdays in Music

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 481

W. C. Handy (1873-1958)

1873-11-16 American composer and musician known as the "Father of the Blues" (Memphis Blues, St Louis Blues), born in Florence, Alabama

  • 1883-05-26 Mamie Smith, American vaudeville singer, dancer and actress (Crazy Blues), born in Cincinnati, Ohio (d. 1946)
  • 1885-05-11 [Joe] King Oliver, American jazz musician (Dippermouth Blues), born in Aben, Louisiana (birth date disputed - could be Dec. 19) (d. 1938)
  • 1886-04-26 Ma Rainey [Gertrude Pridgett], American singer "Mother of the Blues", born in Columbus, Georgia (d. 1939)
  • 1887-09-19 (Cora) "Lovie" Austin (née Taylor), American jazz and blues pianist, songwriter ("Down Hearted Blues"), and band leader (The Blues Serenaders), born in Chattanooga, Tennessee (d. 1972) [1]

Lead Belly (1888-1949)

1888-01-20 American blues 12 string guitarist (Rock Island Line), born in Mooringsport, Louisiana

  • 1888-02-26 Ida Cox (nee Prather), American blues singer and vaudeville performer, born in Habersham County, Georgia (d. 1967) [birth year disputed, may be 1894 or 1896]
  • 1891-04-28 Charley Patton, American Delta blues musician ("Pony Blues"; "High Water Everywhere"), born in Hinds County, Mississippi [date disputed] (d. 1934)
  • 1893-03-06 [Walter] "Furry" Lewis, American blues musician, born in Greenville, Mississippi (d. 1981) [birth year disputed]
  • 1893-03-08 Mississippi John Hurt, American country blues singer and guitarist, born in Teoc, Carroll County, Mississippi (d. 1966)
  • 1893-06-26 "Big" Bill Broonzy, American blues singer and guitarist (Blues by Broonzy), born in Scott, Mississippi (d. 1958)
  • 1893-09-24 "Blind" Lemon Jefferson, American blues singer and guitarist, born in Coutchman, Texas (d. 1929)
  • 1894-04-15 Bessie Smith, American blues singer known as the "Empress of the Blues" (recorded over 200 songs), born in Chattanooga, Tennessee (d. 1937)
  • 1894-04-23 Charles "Cow Cow" Davenport, American boogie-woogie and blues musician, born in Anniston, Alabama (d. 1955)
  • 1894-11-29 Lucille Hegamin, American blues singer ("Jazz Me Blues", "Arkansas Blues"), and entertainer, born in Macon. Georgia (d. 1970)
  • 1895-01-05 Elizabeth Cotten, American folk and blues guitarist and songwriter ("Freight Train"), born in Carrboro, North Carolina (d. 1987)
  • 1895-02-20 Jimmy Yancey, American boogie-woogie jazz and blues pianist, born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1951) [birth year disputed - documentation ranges from 1894-1903]
  • 1895-03-31 Lizzie Miles [Elizabeth Landreaux], Creole American jazz, blues and gospel singer ("Man O'War"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1963)
  • 1895-04-01 Alberta Hunter, American blues singer, and composer ("Downhearted Blues"), born in Memphis, Tennessee (d. 1984)
  • 1895-04-09 Beau De Glen "Mance" Lipscomb, American blues singer and guitarist ("Shine On, Harvest Moon"), born in Navasota, Texas (d. 1976)
  • 1896-03-12 Jesse Fuller, American one-man blues band ("San Francisco Bay Blues"), born in Jonesboro, Georgia (d. 1979)
  • 1896-04-30 "Reverend" Gary Davis, American blues and folk guitarist ("Samson And Delilah"; A Little More Faith), born in Laurens, South Carolina (d. 1972)
  • 1896-09-02 Amanda Randolph, American jazz and blues piano player and singer; stage, radio, and screen actress (The Laytons; Amos 'n Andy - "Ramona"; Danny Thomas Show - "Louise"), born in Louisville, Kentucky (d. 1967)
  • 1896-09-08 Elmer Schoebel, American jazz pianist, arranger (New Orleans Rhythm Kings; Isham Jones), and composer ("Farewell Blues"; "Prince Of Wails"), born in East St. Louis, Illinois (d. 1970)
  • 1897-01-10 Sam Chatmon, American Delta blues guitarist, banjo player, and singer (The Mississippi Sheiks), born in Bolton, Mississippi (d. 1983)
  • 1897-01-22 "Blind" Willie Johnson, American gospel blues singer and guitarist ("Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground"), born in Pendleton, Texas (d. 1945)
  • 1897-04-01 Lucille Bogan, American blues singer and songwriter ("Sweet Petunia"; "Black Angel Blues"), born in Amory, Mississippi (d. 1948)
  • 1897-06-03 Memphis Minnie [Lizzie Douglas], American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter ("Bumble Bee"; "Me and My Chauffeur Blues"), born in Algiers, Louisiana (d. 1973)
  • 1898-02-07 Morgan Lee "Dock" Boggs, American folk and blues singer and banjo player, born in Norton, Virginia (d. 1971)
  • 1898-11-01 Sippie Wallace [Beulah Belle Thomas], American blues singer ("Women Be Wise"), born in Plumb Bayou, Arkansas (d. 1986)
  • 1899-01-25 "Sleepy" John Estes, American blues musician, born in Ripley, Tennessee (d. 1977)
  • 1899-07-01 "Georgia" Tom [Dorsey], American blues and gospel pianist, songwriter ("Peace In The Valley"), and evangelist, born in Villa Rica, Georgia (d. 1993)
  • 1899-12-05 Sonny Boy Williamson II [Aleck Miller], American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, born in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi (d. 1965) (year of birth disputed)
  • 1900-02-13 Joseph "Wingy" Manone American jazz trumpeter, composer, singer, and bandleader ("Tar Paper Stomp"; "Downright Disgusted Blues"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1982)
  • 1900-06-15 Paul J. Mares, American jazz trumpeter and composer ("Farewell Blues"), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1949)
  • 1901-02-15 James "Kokomo" Arnold, American blues slide guitarist, and singer, born in Lovejoy's Station, Georgia (d. 1968) [some research gives birth year as 1896]
  • 1901-08-26 Jimmy Rushing, American jump blues singer, known as "Mr. Five By Five" (Count Basie Orchestra, 1935-48), and pianist, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (d. 1972)

Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

1902-02-01 American poet (Weary Blues), playwright (Mulatto), and librettist (Troubled Island), born in Joplin, Missouri

  • 1902-03-21 Edward "Son" House, American delta blues singer-songwriter and guitarist ("Walking Blues"; "Preachin' The Blues"), born in Lyons, Mississippi (d. 1988)
  • 1902-06-09 Nehemiah "Skip" James, American Delta blues singer, guitarist and piano player ("I'm So Glad"), born in Bentonia, Mississippi (d. 1969)
  • 1902-07-26 Gus Aiken, American jazz and blues trumpeter (Jenkins Orphanage Band), born in Charleston, South Carolina (d. 1973)
  • 1902-12-14 Viola Wells [Evans], American jazz, blues, and gospel singer, born in Newark, New Jersey (d. 1984)
  • 1902-12-21 Peetie Wheatstraw [William Bunch], American blues singer, songwriter, and piano player, born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas (d. 1941)
  • 1903-05-06 Cliff Carlisle, American country and blues musician, singer, songwriter, and yodeler ("Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad"), born in Taylorsville, Kentucky (d. 1983)
  • 1903-12-29 Clyde McCoy, American jazz trumpeter ("Sugar Blues"; the wah-wah sound), bandleader and co-founder of "Down Beat" magazine, born in Ashland, Kentucky (d. 1990)
  • 1904-01-12 "Mississippi" Fred McDowell, American blues singer and guitarist, born in Rossville, Tennessee (d. 1972)
  • 1904-11-17 L.F. "Jack" Owen, American blues singer and guitarist ("It Must've Been The Devil"), born in Bentonia, Mississippi (d. 1997)
  • 1904-12-24 Daniel Womack, American Piedmont blues guitarist, singer and harmonica player, born in Danville, Virginia (d. 1996)
  • 1905-01-15 Roosevelt Holts, American blues singer and guitarist, born in Tylertown, Mississippi (d. 1994)
  • 1905-03-15 Bertha "Chippie" Hill, American blues and vaudeville singer (King Oliver's Jazz Band), born in Charleston, South Carolina (d. 1950)
  • 1905-03-27 Leroy Carr, American blues piano player and singer-songwriter ("How Long, How Long Blues"), born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 1935)
  • 1905-06-26 Teddy Grace [Stella Crowson], American jazz and blues singer, born in Arcadia, Louisiana (d. 1992) [1]
  • 1905-08-24 Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist ("That's Alright"), born in Forest, Mississippi (d. 1974)
  • 1905-11-14 John Henry Barbee, American blues guitarist and singer, born in Henning, Tennessee (d. 1964)
  • 1906-01-31 Roosevelt Sykes, American blues and boogie-woogie pianist, and singer (The Honeydripper), born in Elmar, Arkansas (d. 1983)
  • 1906-03-25 Curley Weaver, American blues guitarist, born in Covington, Georgia (d. 1962)
  • 1906-04-18 (Eurreal) "Little Brother" Montgomery, American jazz, boogie-woogie and blues pianist, singer, and composer ("Vicksburg Blues"; "Crescent City Blues"), born in Kentwood, Louisiana (d. 1985)
  • 1906-09-23 Willard McMurry, American blues record label executive (Trumpet Records), born in Lauderdale, Mississippi (d. 1996)
  • 1906-10-15 Victoria Spivey, American vaudeville and blues singer, pianist, organist, and songwriter ("Dope Head Blues", Organ Grinder Blues"), born in Houston, Texas (d. 1976)
  • 1906-11-12 (Booker T. Washington) "Bukka" White, American country and Delta blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter ("Shake'Em On Down"; "Parchman Farm Blues"), born near Aberdeen, Mississippi (d. 1977)
  • 1907-03-01 Albert Ammons, American jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie pianist, born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1949)
  • 1907-07-14 (Henry) "Rubberlegs" Williams, American vaudeville dancer, and blues and jazz singer, born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 1962)
  • 1907-08-12 Gladys Bentley, American blues singer, performer and drag king pioneer during the Harlem Renaissance, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1960) [1]
  • 1907-09-05 Sunnyland Slim [Albert Luandrew], American blues pianist, born in Vance, Mississippi (d. 1995)
  • 1907-11-26 "Kansas City" Frank [Melrose], American jazz and blues pianist, born in Sumner, Illinois (d. 1941)

Cab Calloway (1907-1994)

1907-12-25 American singer, bandleader ("Minnie the Moocher"; "The Jumpin' Jive"), writer, radio host, and actor (The Blues Brothers), born in Rochester, New York

  • 1908-01-22 Hammie Nixon [Nickerson], American blues harmonica player (Sleepy John Estes), born in Brownsville, Tennessee (d. 1984)
  • 1908-03-31 Red Norvo [Kenneth Norville], American jazz vibraphonist known as "Mr. Swing" ("Congo Blues"; "Knockin' On Wood"), born in Beardstown, Illinois (d. 1999)
  • 1908-10-12 Harmonica Frank [Floyd], American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player, born in Toccopola, Mississippi (d. 1984)
  • 1909-03-06 Dave Clark, American blues music promoter, and songwriter ("Why I Sing The Blues"), born in Jacksonville, Florida (d. 1995)
  • 1909-03-17 Lovie Lee [Edward Lee Watson], American electric blues pianist, singer, and songwriter, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee (d. 1997)
  • 1909-10-27 Henry "Mule" Townsend, American blues singer, guitarist, and piano player, born in Shelby, Mississippi (d. 2006)
  • 1909-11-30 Robert Nighthawk [McCollum], American blues singer, electric slide guitarist, and harmonica player ("Annie Lee Blues"), born in Helena, Arkansas (d. 1967)
  • 1910-04-03 Homesick James [Williamson], American blues slide guitarist and singer (Elmore James band, 1955-62), born in Somerville, Tennessee (d. 2006) [date of birth variously reported as 1905, 1910, and 1914; surname also disputed]

T-Bone Walker (1910-1975)

1910-05-28 American blues guitarist ("Funky Town"; "Well Done"), born in Linden, Texas

  • 1910-06-10 Howlin' Wolf [Chester Arthur Burnett], American blues singer, guitarist, and harmonica player ("Smokestack Lightnin'"; "Killing Floor"), born in White Station, Mississippi (d. 1976)
  • 1910-07-04 (William Thomas) "Champion Jack" Dupree, American boxer, blues and boogie-woogie pianist, singer-songwriter (Walkin' The Blues), and WWII P.O.W., born in Irish Channel, New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1992)
  • 1911-02-03 Jesse Thomas 'Babyface', American blues singer, born in Logansport, Louisiana (d. 1995)
  • 1911-05-03 John Rhea "Yank" Lawson, American jazz trumpeter ("Dogtown Blues"; "Stormy Weather"), born in Trenton, Missouri (d. 1995)

Robert Johnson (1911-1938)

1911-05-08 American blues singer-songwriter, and guitarist (King of Delta Blues Singers), born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi

  • 1911-05-18 "Big" Joe Turner, American blues singer ("Corrine Corrina"; "Shake Rattle & Roll"), born in Kansas City, Missouri (d. 1985)
  • 1911-07-10 (Charles) "Cootie" Williams, American jazz, jump-blues, and R&B trumpeter (Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1929-40 & 1962-74), born in Mobile, Alabama (d. 1985)
  • 1911-08-15 Buster Brown, American blues singer and harmonica player (Fannie Mae), born in Cordele, Georgia (d. 1976)
  • 1911-09-15 Silas Hogan, American blues singer and guitarist, born in Westover, Louisiana (d. 1994)
  • 1911-10-24 Sonny Terry, blind Piedmont blues musician, born in Greensboro, Georgia (d. 1986)
  • 1911-11-17 Jimmy DeBerry, American blues guitarist, banjo player, and singer, born in Gumwood, Arkansas (d. 1985)
  • 1911-12-18 Peg Leg Sam [Arthur Jackson], American country blues harmonica player, singer and comedian, born in Jonesville, South Carolina (d. 1977)

Lightnin Hopkins (1912-1982)

1912-03-15 American blues musician (Ball of Twine), born in Centerville, Texas

  • 1913-01-09 Dr. Hepcat [Albert Lavada Durst], American blues pianist, born in Austin, Texas (d. 1995)
  • 1913-03-13 Lightnin' Slim [Otis Hicks], American Louisiana blues electric guitarist, singer, and songwriter ("Nothing But The Devil";"Bad Luck And Trouble"), born near St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1974)
  • 1913-03-31 Etta Baker, American blues guitarist, born in Caldwell County, North Carolina (d. 2006)

Muddy Waters (1913-1983)

1913-04-04 American blues guitarist ("Hoochie Coochie Man"), born in Jug's Corner (Issaquena County) or Rolling Fork, Mississippi

  • 1913-04-11 John Lee Granderson, American Chicago-style blues guitarist, born in Ellendale, Tennessee (d. 1979)
  • 1913-06-23 Helen Humes, American jazz and blues singer (Harry James; Count Basie; "Million Dollar Secret"), born in Louisville, Kentucky (d. 1981)
  • 1914-02-11 Josh White, Blues, folk and gospel musician, born in Greenville, South Carolina (d. 1969)
  • 1914-03-19 James "Buster" Bennett, American blues saxophonist and blues shouter, born in Pensacola, Florida (d. 1980)
  • 1914-03-30 Sonny Boy Williamson I [John Lee], American blues musician ("Down & Out Blues"), born in Madison County, Tennessee (d. 1948)
  • 1914-05-13 (Louis Charles) "L. C. Robinson, American blues singer, guitarist, fiddler, and electric steel guitar player, born in Brenham, Texas (d. 1976)
  • 1914-09-02 (Lawrence) "Booker T." Laury, American boogie-woogie and blues pianist and singer, born in Memphis, Tennessee (d. 1995)
  • 1914-11-25 Eddie Boyd, American blues pianist and singer ("Five Long Years"), born in Mississippi (d. 1994)

Weddings in Music

  • 1904-02-02 American blues singer Gertrude Pridgett (17) weds American minstrel & vaudeville comic William "Pa" Rainey; she becomes known as Ma Rainey; divorce in 196

Muddy Waters

1932-11-20 American blues musician Muddy Waters (19 or 21) weds American Mabel Berry; divorce in 1935

B.B. King

1944-11-11 Blues musician B.B. King (19) marries his first wife Martha Denton

  • 1958-06-04 American blues musician B.B. King (32) weds his second wife Sue Hall; divorce in 1966

Cher & Sonny Bono

1975-06-30 American singer and actress Cher (28), weds American blues-rcoker Gregg Allman (27), 4 days after her divorce from Sonny Bono is finalized; divorce 1979

Stevie Ray Vaughan

1979-12-23 American blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan (25) weds Lenora "Lenny" Bailey; divorce in 1988

Joe Cocker

1987-10-11 British rock and blues singer Joe Cocker (43) weds Pam Baker

  • 2006-09-16 American blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd (29) weds second wife, Mel Gibson's daughter Hannah Gibson at the Holy Family Church in Malibu, California

Deaths in Music

Deaths 1 - 100 of 326

  • 1929-12-19 Lemon Henry "Blind Lemon" Jefferson, American blues singer and guitarist, dies at 36
  • 1933-03-04 Willie Walker, American jazz singer and guitarist (Dupree Blues), dies at 36
  • 1934-04-28 Charley Patton, American Delta blues musician ("Pony Blues"; "High Water Everywhere"), dies of a mitral valve disorder between the ages of 37 and 43
  • 1935-04-29 Leroy Carr, American blues piano player and singer-songwriter ("How Long, How Long Blues"), dies of nephritis of the kidneys at 30
  • 1937-09-26 Bessie Smith, American blues singer known as the "Empress of the Blues" (recorded over 200 songs), dies of injuries sustained in car crash at 43

Robert Johnson (1911-1938)

1938-08-16 American blues singer-songwriter, and guitarist (King of Delta Blues Singers), poisoned at 27

  • 1939-12-22 Ma Rainey [Gertrude Pridgett], American singer "Mother of the Blues", dies at 53
  • 1941-09-01 "Kansas City" Frank [Melrose], American jazz and blues pianist, killed in a bar fight in Hammond, Indiana at 33
  • 1941-12-21 Peetie Wheatstraw [William Bunch], American blues singer, songwriter, and piano player, dies on his 39th birthday when the car in which he was a passenger met a freight train
  • 1945-09-18 "Blind" Willie Johnson, American gospel blues singer and guitarist ("Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground"), dies of malarial fever, syphilis and blindness at 48
  • 1946-09-16 Mamie Smith, American vaudeville singer, dancer and actress (Crazy Blues), dies at 63
  • 1948-06-01 Sonny Boy Williamson I [John Lee], American blues musician (Down & Out Blues), dies at 34
  • 1949-08-18 Paul J Mares, US jazz trumpetist/composer (Tin Roof Blues), dies at 49
  • 1949-12-02 Albert Ammons, American jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie pianist, dies at 42

Lead Belly (1888-1949)

1949-12-06 American blues 12-string guitarist (Rock Island Line), dies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at 64

  • 1950-05-07 Bertha "Chippie" Hill, American blues and vaudeville singer (King Oliver's Jazz Band), struck and killed by a car in New York City at 45
  • 1951-09-17 Jimmy Yancey, American boogie-woogie jazz and blues pianist, dies somewhere between age 50 and 57 - (birth year documentation uncertain)
  • 1954-04-14 Lillian "Lil" Green, American blues singer and songwriter ("Romance In The Dark"), dies at 39 [or 57, or 48 - year of birth disputed]
  • 1955-12-03 Charles "Cow Cow" Davenport, American boogie-woogie and blues musician, dies of hardening of the arteries at 61

W. C. Handy (1873-1958)

1958-03-28 American composer and musician known as the "Father of the Blues" (Memphis Blues, St Louis Blues), dies of bronchial pneumonia at 84

  • 1958-08-14 "Big" Bill Broonzy, American blues singer and guitarist (Blues by Broonzy), dies of cancer at 65
  • 1959-02-07 Guitar Slim [Eddie Jones], American blues guitarist (The Things That I Used to Do), dies at 32
  • 1959-08-15 "Blind" Willie McTell [McTier], American blues and ragtime singer and guitarist, dies at 61
  • 1960-01-18 Gladys Bentley, American blues singer, performer and drag king pioneer during the Harlem Renaissance, dies of pneumonia at 52 [1]
  • 1960-04-17 Eddie Cochran, American rock vocalist and guitarist ("Summertime Blues"; "C'Mon Everybody"), dies in a English taxi-car crash at 21
  • 1961-08-15 (Granville) "Stick" McGhee, American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter ("Drinkin' Wine. Spo-Dee-O-Dee"), dies of lung cancer at 43
  • 1962-09-20 Curley Weaver, American blues guitarist, dies of uremia at 56
  • 1962-10-17 (Henry) "Rubberlegs" Williams, American vaudeville dancer, and blues and jazz singer, dies at 55
  • 1963-03-17 Lizzie Miles [Elizabeth Landreaux], Creole-American jazz, blues and gospel singer ("Man O'War"), dies of a heart attack at 68
  • 1963-05-24 Elmore James, American blues slide guitarist, dies of a heart attack at 45
  • 1963-12-14 Dinah Washington [Ruth Lee Jones], American jazz, blues, pop, and R&B singer ("What a Diff'rence a Day Makes": "September In The Rain"), dies of sleeping pill overdose at 39
  • 1964-11-03 John Henry Barbee, American blues guitarist and singer, dies of a heart attack at 58
  • 1964-11-24 (Edwin) "Buster" Pickens. American blues pianist (Texas Alexander; Lightnin' Hopkins), shot dead by his cousin during a barroom argument at 48
  • 1965-05-25 Sonny Boy Williamson II [Aleck Miller], American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, dies at 65
  • 1966-11-02 Mississippi John Hurt, American country blues singer and guitarist, dies at 73
  • 1967-04-29 J. B. Lenoir, African American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, active in the 1950s, dies from injuries sustained in a car crash at 38

Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

1967-05-22 American poet (Weary Blues), playwright (Mulatto), and librettist (Troubled Island), dies at 65

  • 1967-08-24 Amanda Randolph, American jazz and blues piano player and singer; stage, radio, and screen actress (The Laytons; Amos 'n Andy - "Ramona"; Danny Thomas Show - "Louise"), and restaurateur, dies of a stroke at 70
  • 1967-11-05 Robert Nighthawk [McCollum], American blues singer, electric slide guitarist, and harmonica player ("Annie Lee Blues"), dies of heart failure following a stroke at 57
  • 1968-02-15 Little Walter [Marion Walter Jacobs], American blues singer-songwriter and harmonica player, dies as the result of a fight at 37
  • 1968-11-08 James "Kokomo" Arnold, American blues slide guitarist, and singer, dies at 67 [or 72]

Brian Jones (1942-1969)

1969-07-03 British blues and rock guitarist, organist and sitar player (Rolling Stones, 1962-69), drowns in his swimming pool at 27

  • 1969-09-05 Josh White, American blues, folk and gospel musician, dies at 55
  • 1969-10-03 Nehemiah "Skip" James, American Delta blues singer, guitarist and piano player ("I'm So Glad"), dies at 67
  • 1969-10-16 Leonard Chess [Lejzor Czyż], Polish-American blues and R&B record company executive (Chess Records), dies at 52

Jack Kerouac (1922-1969)

1969-10-21 American novelist and poet of the Beat Generation (On the Road, Mexico Blues), dies of cirrhosis of the liver at 47

  • 1969-10-21 Oscar "TV Slim" Wills, American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist ("Flatfoot Sam"), dies in a car wreck at 53
  • 1969-12-01 "Magic" Sam [Maghett], American blues guitarist ("Feelin' Good (We're Gonna Boogie)"), dies of a heart attack at 32
  • 1970-01-31 Slim Harpo [James Moore], American blues musician (I'm a King Bee, Baby Scratch My Back), dies of a heart attack at 46
  • 1970-03-01 Lucille Hegamin, American blues singer ("Jazz Me Blues", "Arkansas Blues"), and entertainer, dies at 75
  • 1970-04-21 Earl Hooker, American blues slide guitar player ("Blue Guitar"), dies of tuberculosis at 40
  • 1970-04-24 Otis Spann, American blues pianist and singer (The Blues Never Die!), dies of liver cancer at 40 [or perhaps, 46; birth date disputed]

Janis Joplin (1943-1970)

1970-10-04 American rock and blues singer-songwriter ("Piece of My Heart"; "Me and Bobby McGee"; "Mercedes Benz"), dies of a heroin overdose at 27

  • 1970-12-14 Elmer Schoebel, American jazz pianist, arranger (New Orleans Rhythm Kings; Isham Jones), and composer ("Farewell Blues"; "Prince Of Wails"), dies at 73
  • 1971-02-07 Morgan Lee "Dock" Boggs, American folk and blues singer and banjo player, dies on his 73rd birthday
  • 1971-11-18 (Herman) "Junior" Parker, American blues and soul singer and musician (Mystery Train), dies during brain tumor surgery at 39
  • 1971-11-28 Alexander "Papa" Lightfoot, American blues singer and harmonica player, dies of respiratory failure at 47
  • 1972-05-05 [Reverend] Gary Davis, American blues and folk guitarist (A Little More Faith), dies of a heart attack at 76
  • 1972-06-08 Jimmy Rushing, American jump blues singer, known as "Mr. Five By Five" (Count Basie Orchestra, 1935-48), and pianist, dies at 70
  • 1972-07-03 "Mississippi" Fred McDowell, American blues singer and guitarist, dies of cancer at 68
  • 1972-07-08 (Cora) "Lovie" Austin (née Taylor), American jazz and blues pianist, songwriter ("Down Hearted Blues"), and band leader (The Blues Serenaders), dies at 84 [1]
  • 1972-09-23 Calvin Frazier, American country and Detroit blues singer-songwriter, and guitarist ("This Old World's In A Tangle"), dies of cancer at 57
  • 1973-04-01 Gus Aiken, American jazz and blues trumpeter (Jenkins Orphanage Band), dies at 70
  • 1973-08-06 Memphis Minnie [Lizzie Douglas], American blues musician, dies at 76
  • 1974-03-28 Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist (That's Alright), dies of a heart attack at 68
  • 1974-07-27 Lightnin' Slim [Otis Hicks], American Louisiana blues electric guitarist, singer, and songwriter ("Nothing But The Devil"; "Bad Luck And Trouble"), dies of stomach cancer at 61

T-Bone Walker (1910-1975)

1975-03-16 American blues guitarist ("Funky Town"; "Well Done"), dies of bronchial pneumonia at 64

  • 1975-12-17 Hound Dog Taylor [Theodore Roosevelt], American Chicago blues guitarist and singer, dies of lung cancer at 60
  • 1976-01-10 Howlin' Wolf [Chester Arthur Burnett], American blues musician (Smokestack Lightnin', Killing Floor), dies of complications during kidney surgery at 65
  • 1976-01-30 Beau De Glen "Mance" Lipscomb, American blues singer and guitarist ("Shine On, Harvest Moon"), dies of a stroke at 80
  • 1976-01-31 Buster Brown, American blues singer and harmonica player (Fannie Mae), dies at 64
  • 1976-05-14 Keith Relf, British blues-rock singer and harmonica player (The Yardbirds - "For Your Love"; Renaissance, 1969-71), electrocuted while playing an improperly earthed electric guitar at 33
  • 1976-08-29 Jimmy Reed, American blues singer ("Soulin'"; "Big Boss Man"), dies of epileptic seizure at 50
  • 1976-09-26 (Louis Charles) "L. C." Robinson, American blues singer, guitarist, fiddler, and electric steel guitar player, dies of a heart attack at 62
  • 1976-10-03 Victoria Spivey, American vaudeville and blues singer, pianist, organist, and songwriter ("Dope Head Blues"; Organ Grinder Blues"), dies at 69
  • 1976-12-28 Freddie King, American blues singer (Hideaway), dies at 42
  • 1977-02-09 (Woodrow Wilson) "Buddy" Johnson, American jump blues pianist, bandleader, and songwriter ("They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool"; "Since I Fell for You"), dies from a brain tumor and sickle cell anemia at 62
  • 1977-02-26 (Booker T. Washington) "Bukka" White, American country and Delta blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter ("Shake'Em On Down"; "Parchman Farm Blues"), dies of cancer at 70
  • 1977-06-05 "Sleepy" John Estes, American Blues musician ("Drop Down Mama"), dies at 78
  • 1977-07-01 (Robert) "Baby Boy" Warren, American blues singer and guitarist, dies of a heart attack at 57
  • 1977-10-27 Peg Leg Sam [Arthur Jackson], American country blues harmonica player, singer and comedian, dies at 65
  • 1978-12-12 Clifton Chenier, American blues singer (Bayou Blues), dies at 53
  • 1979-01-31 Grant Green, American jazz, blues and funk guitarist, and songwriter, dies of a heart attack at 43
  • 1979-04-12 Pernell Charity, American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, dies at 58
  • 1979-08-22 John Lee Granderson, American Chicago-style blues guitarist, dies at 71
  • 1980-07-03 James "Buster" Bennett, American blues saxophonist and blues shouter, dies at 66
  • 1980-11-16 O. V. [Overton Vertis] Wright, American blues singer, dies at 41
  • 1981-09-09 Helen Humes, American jazz and blues singer (Harry James; Count Basie; "Million Dollar Secret"), dies of cancer at 68
  • 1981-09-14 (Walter) "Furry" Lewis, American country blues guitarist and songwriter, dies of a heart attack at 88 (or 82) [year of birth disputed]
  • 1981-12-08 "Big" Walter [Horton], American blues harmonica player (Everybody's Fishin'), dies of heart failure at about 60 [year of birth disputed]

Lightnin Hopkins (1912-1982)

1982-01-30 American blues musician (Ball of Twine), dies of esophageal cancer at 69

  • 1982-02-04 Alex Harvey, Scottish rock and blues singer (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band), dies of a heart attack at 46
  • 1982-03-29 Floyd "Guitar" Smith, American jazz and blues guitarist and record producer, dies at 65
  • 1982-07-09 Joseph "Wingy" Manone American jazz trumpeter, composer, singer, and bandleader ("Tar Paper Stomp"; "Downright Disgusted Blues"), dies at 82
  • 1982-07-22 Sonny Stitt [Edward Hammond Boatner Jr], American jazz saxophonist (Blows the Blues), dies of cancer at 58
  • 1983-02-02 Sam Chatmon, American Delta blues guitarist, banjo player, and singer (The Mississippi Sheiks), dies at 86
  • 1983-04-05 Cliff Carlisle, American country and blues musician, singer, songwriter, and yodeler ("Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad"), dies at 79

Muddy Waters (1913-1983)

1983-04-30 American blues singer and guitarist ("Mannish Boy"; "Got My Mojo Working"), dies of heart failure, while fighting cancer, at 70

  • 1983-06-18 Luther Tucker, American blues guitarist, dies of a heart attack at 57
  • 1983-07-17 Roosevelt Sykes, American blues and boogie-woogie pianist, and singer ("The Honeydripper"), dies of a heart attack at 77