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Beale Street is Created
Although it is not yet the hub for the Blues music scene. -
Jim Crow Laws in Effect
Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation. This harsh and oppressive part of reality greatly influenced the development of Blues. -
E.C. Crump Runs for Mayor
Ready to reform Memphis, E.C. Crump runs for mayor. This ends up as the inspiration for a certain "father of Blues". -
W.C. Handy's First Documented Blues Song
After overhearing a wandering musician and his odd guitar style, W.C. Handy composes Mr. Crump, later titled Memphis Blues. -
Mamie Smith Changes the Game
Mamie Smith took Blues from being instrumental to adding vocal accompaniment with her song Crazy Blues. -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression was one of the biggest economic crises America has ever faced, if not the sole biggest. People had no money and plenty of sorrows, but while music sales were at an all time low, there's no doubt that many Blues tunes were sung and written during this period. -
The End of the Great Depression
The Great Depression had finally ended. Many were still actively recovering though, and bands couldn't afford to have large numbers of members meaning downsizing and instrumental evolution. This gave way to Jump Blues. -
The South's First Black DJ
As Blues gained popularity, Nat D. Williams was hired by WDIA. Programming became more focused towards the black community as more people of color were hired to host and perform. -
Sun Records Founded by Sam Phillips
Their first hit release being Bear Cat by Rufus Thomas in 1953. -
Big Mama Thornton Records Hound Dog
The widely recognized hit Hound Dog was first recorded by Big Mama Thornton. Elvis Presley's version followed in 1956. -
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Vietnam War and Blues Rock
The Vietnam War was a destructive war that influenced many Blues Rock artists and their songs. Artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Creedance Clearwater Revival, the Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, and the Animals referenced aspects of the Vietnam War in their pieces. -
The Death of Otis Redding
Otis Redding and other band members were traveling on an airplane to reach their next gig in Madison, Wisconsin. The weather was rough and the plane crashed. The only surviving member was Ben Cauley. Despite it seeming that the weather may have been the cause, it was never confirmed. -
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Renovation of Beale Street
After a decline in the conditions of Beale Street, revitalization of the historic site was undertaken. Starting in the late 70s and finishing in the early 80s, Beale Street was alive again. -
Death of Elvis Presley
Years of heavy drug use caught up with him and he suffered a heart attack on August 8th, 1977. Presley had taken a lot of elements from Blues into his music and the first label he ever signed with happened to be Sun Records. -
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Jump Blues Revival
The revival of Jump Blues was brought on in the 80s by the likes of Brian Setzer and Joe Jackson.
