Best Blues Artists

Robert Johnson

Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a powerful combination of expressive singing, skilled guitar work, and original songwriting that has deeply influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson died in 1938 at the... read more

He has influenced so many people, and many artists have had hits covering his music. Definitely one of the top 5 greatest guitarists of all time.

Sure, there are more high-tech Blues artists out there who sound a little better, but he was 30 years ahead of his time! This guy is a one-man orchestra.

In this modern world, there aren't many original Blues artists. Most of them are Blues Rock (it's good too).

B.B. King

Riley B. "B.B." King (1925 to 2015) was an American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. Nicknamed "The King of the Blues," he popularized a sophisticated style of soloing that influenced countless guitarists. King won 15 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and... read more

I love this man. He flirted with pop with songs like "Into The Night," "My Lucille," and a few others which don't spring to mind right now, but he never strayed far from Blues, always adding his own uniqueness, great guitar, and vocals. He remained faithful to the commitment he made to it. Is he the best? Well, perhaps not THE best, but he certainly belongs in a high position on this list.

B.B. King was the four S's: Soul, Skill, Style, and he is Smooth!

Purest blues guitar notes ever played by anyone.

Howlin' Wolf

Had a voice MADE for Blues. Scratchy and deep and completely filled with personality. Also a big inspiration to other styles of music, such as Rock and Roll.

Best voice for Blues. Underrated and the best Blues singer, in my opinion. Wolf had a lot of emotion.

The man took his mentor, Charlie Patton's style to the greatest lengths.

Muddy Waters

McKinley Morganfield, known professionally as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician. He is often referred to as the "father of modern Chicago blues." His influence extended to many genres, including rock and roll, and he played a key role in the development of the electric blues sound.

I don't know. It's impossible to choose. They all have something special about them that makes them stand out, whether it be vocals, guitar, or harmonica playing. I couldn't even begin to remix this list. Without a doubt, Muddy is an incredible Blues artist. He was one of the first Blues artists I was introduced to and fell in love with, but I've heard so many more amazing artists since. As I really can't decide, Mud gets my vote for sentimental reasons.

Far and away, Muddy Waters is the most influential artist and musician in the Blues genre, making him the most deserving of the #1 spot, in my opinion. Muddy grew up in the Mississippi Delta during the early years of the 20th century. He learned how to play and perform through early Blues masters such as Son House and Robert Johnson.
Throughout the late 1930s to the 1950s, Muddy developed his sound and produced masterpiece Blues tracks that spurred entire new genres of music, not least of which is Rock & Roll. Some of the most prominent figures in music have credited Muddy with laying the template for their sound. For instance, Chuck Berry was mentored by him in the early years of Chess Records. The Rolling Stones even named their band after one of Waters' most prominent tracks, "Rollin' Stone."
While the late B.B. King was legendary, no doubt, Muddy was more influential overall when it came to the Blues. A lot could also be said about Robert Johnson being equally influential - even on Muddy himself. However, Johnson's Blues sound was not as developed or far-reaching across the expanse of music. Part of this limitation was certainly due to the time period Johnson lived in and his unexpectedly short life.
Notable songs from Muddy Waters include "Mannish Boy," "Hoochie Coochie Man," "Honey Bee," "I Want to Be Loved," "I Can't Be Satisfied," "I'm Ready," and "Champagne & Reefer." He has an incredible amount of musical gems stashed away beyond this list as well.

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 - August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Despite a mainstream career that lasted only seven years, he's widely considered one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of music. He played a key... read more

SRV had style, tone, passion, knew when to play and not, soul, and a voice that matched his guitar skills. If you ever watched him, I swear the man sweated quarter notes!

Stevie Ray Vaughan has a great voice, tone, and plays the guitar well. He rules! Too bad he died at the age of 35. R.I.P. We will miss you.

What can I say? For me, SRV is still No. 1! Just listen to this very gifted guitar player! I'm sure you'll agree and will enjoy Stevie's immense talent.

Eric Clapton

Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He was also a founding member of Derek and the Dominos, known for... read more

Come on, people. He's one of the greatest blues players ever.

Buddy Guy

George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues guitarist and singer known for his electrifying live performances and emotional playing style. He is a key figure in Chicago blues and has had a profound influence on rock and blues musicians. Artists he has inspired include Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page... read more

Eric Clapton himself said this guy was the best guitarist ever. He can play one note, and it would sound like the best note you've ever heard. I think he should be placed at 3 and Muddy Waters at 4.

I have seen him, and he was three feet from me. I fell in love with his music since his first big gig in Orillia, Ontario, Canada.

This is the guy that everybody else learned from. Best. Guitarist. Ever.

Son House

6th place... What a shame, he should be number one. Son House is one of the most influential artists to have ever been born, especially concerning the Blues. What this man could do without a guitar, never mind with one, is truly out of this world. Go listen to songs by him such as "Grinnin' in Your Face" and "John the Revelator," where he simply sings and makes use of clapping. If you are not truly inspired in any sense of the word, the Blues is not for you.

What a b/s list! This is the purest form of Blues, not this electric guitar nonsense! Son House was the god of Blues!

Lead Belly

Totally unique and powerful vocals with that 12-string guitar adding all you need to back up.

"Midnight Special" puts him in the top ten alone. And he's good in a knife fight.

Come on, one of the greatest writers and influential musicians of all time...

Skip James

This man is the reason I now love the Blues. That soft, mournful falsetto, the beautiful guitar work - songs like Devil Got My Woman truly are something special.

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Charley Patton

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Tracy Nelson

Johnny Lee Hooker

If you pass this man without voting but pick a rock star...

Some as good, none better. Just can't find a job!

He is not the best but should be top 10 at least.

Blind Willie Johnson

Although I think Robert Johnson is the best, I'm going to put Willie up some more. This guy's got some REAL Blues. He never had it easy, I tell ya.

The old gospel growler has no equal in this field, not even Gary Davis.

Elmore James

Elmore James was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and bandleader. He was known as the "King of the Slide Guitar" and was noted for his use of loud amplification and a stirring vocal style. His signature song, "Dust My Broom," became a blues standard.

Wow! As with Buddy Guy, the intense vocal and signature guitar phrase are unsurpassed.

Albert King

Albert King Nelson, known professionally as Albert King, was an American blues guitarist and singer. He was considered one of the Three Kings of the Blues Guitar, along with B.B. King and Freddie King. His left-handed, upside-down guitar playing style influenced generations of musicians, including Jimi... read more

I'm a lefty who plays upside down!

Lightnin' Hopkins

Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 - January 30, 1982) was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, and occasional pianist from Centerville, Texas.

In 2010, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him No. 71 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.... read more

Lightnin' Hopkins was THE Blues. Criminally underrated. Number one in my book.

Texas blues at its best, a powerhouse of emotion.

My all-time favorite blues man! So underrated.

Mississippi John Hurt

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though his mainstream career lasted only about four years from 1966 to 1970, he's widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in popular music.... read more

Freddie King

Freddie King was an American blues guitarist and singer. He is considered one of the "Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert King and B.B. King. Known for his powerful voice and energetic guitar style, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

Can't believe no one else has added him!

Willie Dixon

Composed the most influential songs ever, which made many guitarists famous.

Ray Charles

Ray Charles Robinson, professionally known as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. He pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s by combining blues, jazz, and gospel styles. Charles won 17 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in... read more

He should totally be in the top ten.

Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa is an American blues rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. When he was only 12 years old, he opened for blues legend B.B. King. Bonamassa was born on May 8, 1977, and has released numerous albums showcasing his guitar skills and musical versatility.

Joe is amazingly good, better than Gary Moore and even some higher people on this list. He is not as influential as Robert Johnson or B.B. King, but he is a technical genius and a great guitarist and singer.

Love Joe Bonamassa, beautiful guitar player and a wonderful voice! He puts on a great show. I've seen four so far! Slow Gin is my favorite song!

Blues of Desperation, Driving Toward the Daylight, Different Shades of Blue! WOW! Definitely should be higher on the list!

Mississippi Fred McDowell

Gary Moore

Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, celebrated as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock/blues guitarist. His solo career included the hit album Still Got the Blues (1990).

Paul Butterfield

Paul Butterfield was an American blues harmonica player, singer, and bandleader. He was born on December 17, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. He died on May 4, 1987, in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, from an accidental drug overdose.

It's not just his incredible way with the harmonica or his passion for the music. The way he sings those songs that I love... it's more than that. He had/has charisma. Not every talented artist has that.