1. Origins of Rock and Roll Early Pioneers Sing the Blues

2. Muddy Waters Guitar player and vocalist Hit big in Chicago Influenced such acts as The Rolling Stones (named after one of his songs), Johnny Winter and Eric Clapton

3. Howlin’ Wolf Memphis guitar player and singer Originally signed by Sam Philips Released by Philips and signed with Chess Records Became rival with Muddy Waters at Chess Records Howled in his music because he couldn’t yodel

4. Robert Johnson Blues guitarist and song writer Story tells of him selling his soul to the devil to help improve guitar playing while at ‘the crossroads’ Disappeared for a few years and came back much improved guitar player. Disappeared for a few years and came back much improved guitar player. Myth furthered along by mysterious death Myth furthered along by mysterious death Something happened to him at a bar and he died three days later

5. Etta James Grew up singing Gospel in Los Angeles Left to pursue music against wishes of her mother Landed at Chess Records in Chicago Transitioned easily into R & B

6. Bo Diddley Guitar player, vocalist Developed skills with guitar in Chicago Regular in South Side Chicago clubs by age of 32 Influenced such artists as Buddy Holly and The Who

7. John Lee Hooker Guitar player, vocalist Started playing in Memphis Left Memphis and settled in Detroit Influenced British bands such as The Yardbirds and The Animals

8. Elmore James Guitarist Mastered Slide Guitar Major influence on B.B. King and Chuck Berry and hard rock of late 1960’s Played in spare time; focused on work as radio repairman

9. B.B. King ‘Blues Boy’ King was influenced by country and gospel music Named his guitar ‘Lucille’; named after woman who inspired bar brawl Often referred to as the reigning ‘King of the Blues’