History of Blues Music

  • Period: to

    Slaves

    Slaves were brought to America in early 1600s then in the early 1800s the importation of slaves stopped.
  • First Recording of Black Music

    First known recording of black music was issued by Victor Records.
    https://www.shmoop.com/blues-history/timeline.html
  • First documented blues song

    It was written by W.C. Handy, the father of blues, it was called Handy’s Mr. Crump.
  • World War I

    World War I
    The USA enters World War I. The internal migration of African Americans was caused by the military and the accelerated economic mobilization.
  • Growth in record companies

    Mamie Smith's song "Crazy Blues" helped improved record companies because jazz was strictly instrumental, but she brought a sensation and encouraged other record companies to hire similar singers.
  • Beale Street

    It became a showcase for jug bands.
  • New Recording Technology

    New Recording Technology
    New electrical technology is introduced to record companies.
  • Records First Folk Blues Music

    Singers Papa Charlie Jackson & Daddy Stovepipe were featured on folk blues first record.
    https://www.shmoop.com/blues-history/timeline.html
  • First Star of Folk Blues Music

    Blind Lemon Jefferson was first recorded and later became a dominant blues figure and the first star of folk blues.
  • Great Depression

    Great Depression
    The Great Depression of the United States was caused by the Wall Street Crash of 1929 on Black Thursday. The economic ruin, sales of records and phonographs plummet, crippling the recording industry were widespread.
  • Electric Guitar

    Electric Guitar
    The electric guitar was developed first by musician George Beauchamp and engineer Adolph Rickenbacher in the early 1930s, It would help transform the sound of blues music. Eddie Durham was featured for the first recording of the electric guitar.
  • World War II

    World War II
    World War II was started by the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Just like World War I African Americans were created new opportunities, because economic and military mobilization.