Best Blues Artists
Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians.
Johnson died in 1938 at the age of 27. The exact circumstances of his death are still unclear today. His death makes him one of the earliest members of the so-called "Club 27". He has influenced so many people, and many artists have had hits covering his music, definitely top 5 greatest guitarists of all time.
Sure there's 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 1 man orchestra.
In this modern world there aren't many original blues artists. Most of them are blues rock (its good too).
Multi influences, which he harboured and expanded gave him the edge. So many great bluesmen followed him
Riley B. "B.B." King was an American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. 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 ever.
The man knew how to tell a story with a guitar!
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 Patten's style to the greatest lengths.
McKinley Morganfield, known by his stage name Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician who is often cited as the "father of modern Chicago blues". 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 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 so many more amazing artists since. As I really can't decide, Mud gets my vote for sentimental reasons.
Far and away the most influential artist/musician of the Blues, and is therefore the most deserving of #1 in my opinion. Muddy grew up in the Mississippi Delta during the early years of the 20th Century and learned how to play and perform through the likes of early blues masters such as Son House and Robert Johnson. Muddy developed his sound throughout the late 1930's through the 1950's and came up with masterpiece blues tracks that spurred entire new genres of music, not the least of which is Rock & Roll. How can we forget that some of the largest figures in music have credited Muddy with laying the template for their sound. Chuck Berry was mentored by him in the early years of Chess Records. The Rolling Stones even named their band after one of Water's most prominent tracks "Rollin' Stone". The late BB King was legendary, no doubt, but Muddy was certainly more influential overall when it came to the Blues. A lot could also be said of Robert Johnson as far as being equally ...more
He should be number one. Even though Blues rock artist have better blues songs like The Rolling Stone and Jimi Hendrix but There are not really blues artist. I would pick blues artist like Joe Bonamassa and Stevie Ray Vaughan but more people would vote for Muddy Waters over them. Muddy Waters have more of a chance of being number one and be high than Robert Johnson them the other 2.I don't have a favorite blues artist I like BB King, Muddy Waters Joe Bonamassa and Stevie Ray Vaughan all the same. If I have to pick what blues artist I like the best it would be JB and SRV Than Muddy Waters. I do like all 4 blues artist I said way more than 20s and 30 artist like Robert Johnson and Blind Willie Johnson more because there more and I like rock music the best and 60 to 90s all the best year for music and rock the hardest and coolest. Muddy Waters do have music that sound likes the 60s and 70s listen to Mannish Boy from Hard Again. The 4 blues artist I said I like just as much as the rock ...more
Everyone gets their sound from Muddy Waters. I mean that literally.
Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. In spite of a short-lived mainstream career spanning seven years, he is widely considered one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of music, and one of the most important figures in the revival of blues in the 1980s. SRV had style, tone, passion, knew when to play and not, soul, a voice that matched his guitar skills and 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.
100% Authentic, Rock and Roll blues with Fender Stratocaster, Fender Amps Icon.
Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He has also been a member of Derek and the Dominos. Come on people... He's one of the greatest blues player ever...
6th place... What a shame, should be number one. Son house is one of the most influential artist 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" an "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!
Without a doubt #1 he taught the rest what to do and out lived most...and how about ike Zimmerman who taught #1( Robert Johnson) how to play
Hi intensity, passion, vocal quality, and creative bottleneck guitar playing make him the best!
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues guitarist and singer. He is an exponent of Chicago blues and has influenced guitarists including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, John Mayer and Stevie Ray Vaughan. 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 3 feet from me and I fell in love with his music since his first big gig in Orillia Ontario Can.
This is the guy that everybody else learned from. Best. Guitarist. Ever.
Best guitarist. Best living and playing
Totally unique and powerful vocals with that 12 string guitar adding all you need to back up.
"Midnight Special " puts him onto 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...
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.
Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music". Hendrix is consistently ranked on lists of musicians who died too soon. Good God number 25...
Elmore James was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and bandleader. He was known as "King of the Slide Guitar" and was noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice. Wow! As with Buddy Guy the intense vocal and signature guitar phrase, unsurpassed.
Electric slide blues Icon.
Ray Charles Robinson, professionally known as Ray Charles, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and composer. He should totally be in the top ten.
This man is the reason I now love the blues. That soft, mournful falsetto, the beautiful guitarwork- songs like Devil Got My Wonan truly are something special
Freddie King was an American blues guitarist and singer. He has been described as one of the "Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert King and B.B. King. Can't believe no one else has added him!
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.
If you pass this man without voting but pick a rock star...
Some as good, none better. Just can't find no job!
He is not the best but should be top 10 at least.
A true original. The best in my book.
Albert King Nelson, known professionally as Albert King, was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing. I'm a lefty who plays upside down!
Composed the most influential songs ever who made many guitarists famous.
Joe Bonamassa is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. When he was only 12 years old, Bonamassa opened for B.B. King. He was born 8th May 1977. He is known to be one of the greatest blues guitarists ever. 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 BB 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 4 so far! Slow Gin is my favorite song!
Blues of Desperation, Driving Toward The Daylight, Different Shades Of Blue! WOW! Definitely should be higher in the list!
I was completely amazed the first time I heard Joe play. He's crossed all genres of music, and has such passion and respect when he performes.
Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, most widely recognised as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock and blues guitarist.
John Dawson Winter III, known as Johnny Winter, was an American musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. Great player. Overlooked I believe because of brother Edgars one hit wonder. Texas blues begins
William Rory Gallagher was an Irish blues and rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader.
Lightnin' Hopkins was THE Blues. Criminally underrated. Number one in my book.
Texas blues at it's best, a powerhouse of emotion.
My all time favorite blues man! So under rated.
Love this man.
One in a generation for sure.