Blue on Black Guitar Lessons

As such, the best blues guitarists were shaping the music of tomorrow, without them knowing it. Music affects our mood, mindset, and everything about us, therefore these influential blues guitarists shaped society as well. Have you ever heard anybody saying, "I've got the blues"?

Here is a thorough, but by no means complete list of the best blues guitarists who helped shape and influence music. This is my own list, so if you have any additions, feel free to comment at the bottom of the post. While you read, play this to get you into the mood:

And if you get the sudden urge to listen to some more blues, go ahead and download some blues albums at Amazon, here are some of my favorites:

Leadbelly

Huddie William Ledbetter (January 1888 – December 6, 1949) was an iconic American folk and blues musician, notable for his strong vocals, his virtuosity on the 12-string guitar, and the songbook of folk standards he introduced.

Although he most commonly played the twelve string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, concertina, and accordion.

Robert Johnson

Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues singer and musician. His landmark recordings from 1936–1937 display a remarkable combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced generations of musicians.

Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend. Johnson's songs, vocal phrasing and guitar style have influenced a broad range of musicians; Eric Clapton has called Johnson "the most important blues singer that ever lived". He was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Son House

House pioneered an innovative style featuring strong, repetitive rhythms, often played with the aid of slide guitar, and his singing often incorporated elements of southern gospel and spiritual music. A seminal Delta blues figure, he remains influential today.

Skip James

James often played his guitar with an open D-minor tuning (DADFAD). James's 1931 work is considered idiosyncratic among pre-war blues recordings, and formed the basis of his reputation as a musician.

Muddy Waters

McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983) was an American blues musician, generally considered "the Father of Chicago blues". Muddy headed to England in 1958 and shocked audiences with his loud, amplified electric guitar and thunderous beat.

He was a major inspiration for the British blues explosion in the 1960s. Muddy was ranked #17 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

T-Bone Walker

Aaron Thibeaux Walker (May 28, 1910 — March 16, 1975) was an American blues guitarist, singer, pianist, and songwriter who was one of the most important pioneers of the electric guitar.