Dave O’BrienBoston University

MU757Blues Curriculum for High School Classroom

Development of Chicago BluesDuring the 1920’s,

Southern Blacks are lured to the prospect of jobs and a new life in the North.

Delta Blues is now performed in urban settings.

“The sheer magnitude of talent attracted by these areas, as well as their existing music scenes, recording and performing opportunities, and the forthcoming arrival of technology and amplification, led to an evolution of the Delta blues.”

Development of Chicago BluesProhibition in the 1920s forced entertainers

and patrons to find new ways to “party.”Speakeasies now replace taverns and pubs as

entertainment centers.Blues musicians would perform in these clubs

on all sides of the city.They would also perform at parties, on street

corners, or where ever people would listen.

Development of Chicago BluesBy the late 1940s, Chicago was in its peak of

Blues popularity.This popularity would last well into the 1960s

and 70s.Musicians like Muddy Waters and Howlin’

Wolf helped to take the Delta sound and create a more “raw” version of it.

Full band arrangements were now popular featuring Electric Guitar, Bass, Drums, Harmonica, and Vocalists.

Chess RecordsPolish immigrants

Leonard and Phil Chess purchase Aristocrat records and changed the name to Chess Records.

This is the label on which much of the Chicago Blues was recorded and preserved.

Development of Chicago BluesDuring the 1950s and 60s, more Blues

musicians, such as Buddy Guy and Otis Rush would come to the forefront of the thriving musical culture.

“Chicago's contribution to the blues is immeasurable and its traditions continue in the city's blues clubs and in the enduring music of its legendary artists.”

ReviewWhy did most Southern Blacks move up to

northern cities like Chicago?What was prohibition? How did musicians

and patrons find their way around it?What did the Chicago Blues sound like?

What instruments were now used and how?What did Chess Records do for the Chicago

Blues style?Do certain cities provide a musical culture?

Please explain.

Howlin’ Wolf1910-1976Chester Arthur BurnettInnovator of post-war

Electric Blues.Took the “rural” sound

and made it into the raw Chicago style.

His mother disowned him for singing “Devil’s” music instead of religious music.

Howlin’ WolfStarted off in clubs and juke joints in Mississippi.Inspired by performers such as Charley Patton,

Tommy Johnson, Son House, and Robert Johnson.After leaving the Army, Wolf formed his own

group and a local radio station saw potential.Worked and performed at a radio station.Recorded for Chess Records.Popular bands like the Rolling Stones and the

Yardbirds toured with Wolf to get his name to a broader audience.

Wolf outlived his Blues “competitors” and put well known musicians into his “super bands.”

Howlin’ WolfWolf had wealth and

fame. This was very different from the other Bluesmen at the time.

After Wolf’s death, his wife was left well off with royalties.

Plays a huge role in the history and development of American Popular Music.

Muddy Waters1915-1983McKinley MorganfieldFirst played harmonica

then learned guitar at age 17.

Recordings show the influence of Son House and Robert Johnson.

Moved to Chicago in 1943 and by 1947 changed his name to Muddy Waters.

Muddy WatersIn 1948 he signed to Aristocrat Records which became

Chess Records.Played electric guitar at this point and had a “vibrant

slide guitar” style which was matched with a loud and “hard” voice.

Muddy Waters’ band in 1950 also consisted of Little Walter (harmonica), Otis Spann (piano), and Jimmy Rogers (guitar).

Toured the USA and Europe and would frequently re-record his songs from the 1950s.

His influence has extended to Rock and Roll bands such as the Rolling stones.

An accident in 1970 forced Waters to perform sitting in a chair from then on.

Blues and Beyond…Buddy GuyB.B. KingJimi HendrixEric ClaptonStevie Ray VaughanJohn Mayer“Who do YOU think are considered ‘Blues’

musicians today?”

Chicago BluesHow is the Electric Blues the same as the

Delta Blues? How is it different?How is an Electric Blues group much like a

popular group of today? How is it different?Do you think Electric Blues would be popular

today?

Lightning in a Bottle

Blues Discussion…The recordings of Alan and John Lomax have

stood the test of time. Do you think the recordings of today’s music will have the same impact on people years down the road?

How would you describe the life of a Blues musician? Which modern stars show the “Blues performer” mentality? Why do you think so?

Could the music of today have been formed without the influence of Blues music? What influence do we take from this music? What influences have moved us forward into the styles we know today?