Out of the post-Civil War South came a revolutionary music style that evolved out of Negro spirituals, work songs and field hollers. Known as the Delta blues, these raw songs dealt with everyday life and even touched on controversial subjects like addiction, sexuality, extramarital affairs and even magic. Although there are many notable blues styles, the Delta blues is particularly influential and is widely regarded as the grandfather of rock and roll.
The otherworldly playing style of these blues musicians gave rise to enduring stories about how they had gotten their talent. The most prominent tale involved shady meetings at the crossroads near Dockery Plantation and midnight pacts with the devil himself in exchange for the ability to play. Robert Johnson and Tommy Johnson were often attached to the story, something both men perpetuated during their careers. The Robert Johnson crossroads story was further fueled by his classic song "Cross Road Blues," which many speculated was a metaphor for the rumored supernatural encounter.
Even though these Delta blues women were often overshadowed by their male counterparts during their lifetimes, their impacts have been felt. As an example, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a major blues and jazz force during the 1930s and 40s borrowed techniques from Memphis Minnie and applied her knowledge of blues to create her own brand of gospel and soul that had a significant influence on rock history.
Some classic rock enthusiasts are completely unaware that Led Zepplin's hit "When the Levee Breaks" was written by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy or that renowned guitar players like the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck frequently incorporated blues riffs from these early Delta musicians into their songs.
Elvis Presley and Little Richard are just two of the artists who have cited Sister Rosetta Tharpe as a major influence in their music, and the 1960s revival of masters like Skip James and Son House inspired British Invasion acts like Cream and Deep Purple.
Some musicians were able to adapt their styles, however, molding the traditional African-based rhythms that were so popular in blues, jazz and ragtime into something less controversial for white audiences of the day. The result was swing music, and it was destined to have its own impact on the history of rock.
The Creation of Mississippi Delta Blues
Sometime around the turn of the 20th century, blues legend Charley (sometimes spelled Charlie) Patton moved to Dockery Plantation, a sawmill and cotton plantation known in the south for treating sharecroppers fairly. Shortly after arriving, he met a man by the name of Henry Sloan, a little-known figure speculated to be the Mississippi Delta blues vagabond who inspired WC Handy in 1903. Patton became enamored with Sloan's unique music style, which is considered to be one of the earliest forms of Delta blues. Sloan taught Patton how to play until Patton was able to create his own masterpieces.Major Delta Blues Musicians
Patton's notoriety with such songs as "Pony Blues" sparked interest in many young men in the area who would not only become prominent Mississippi Delta blues musicians in their own right, but who would also have an incredible impact on rock history. Among these were Robert Johnson, Eddie "Son" House, Willie Brown and Tommy Johnson.The otherworldly playing style of these blues musicians gave rise to enduring stories about how they had gotten their talent. The most prominent tale involved shady meetings at the crossroads near Dockery Plantation and midnight pacts with the devil himself in exchange for the ability to play. Robert Johnson and Tommy Johnson were often attached to the story, something both men perpetuated during their careers. The Robert Johnson crossroads story was further fueled by his classic song "Cross Road Blues," which many speculated was a metaphor for the rumored supernatural encounter.
Delta Blues Women
By the time blues had spread across the country in the 1920s, women like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey had solidified their fan bases. In Delta blues, however, women musicians were exceedingly rare. Most who were able to cut records did so in partnership with a male Delta blues musician, such as was the case with Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy. Geeshie Wiley, an obscure figure who has proven to be influential in the history of rock and roll, only recorded three records during her lifetime, one of which was with the help of fellow female blues artist Evie Thomas.Even though these Delta blues women were often overshadowed by their male counterparts during their lifetimes, their impacts have been felt. As an example, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a major blues and jazz force during the 1930s and 40s borrowed techniques from Memphis Minnie and applied her knowledge of blues to create her own brand of gospel and soul that had a significant influence on rock history.
Role in the History of Rock
The blues riffs created by the early masters have had a profound and long-lasting effect on rock history. Artists like Eric Clapton and Led Zepplin have not only praised the influence of blues musicians like Robert Johnson, but they've also had major hits from covers of classic blues songs.Some classic rock enthusiasts are completely unaware that Led Zepplin's hit "When the Levee Breaks" was written by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy or that renowned guitar players like the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck frequently incorporated blues riffs from these early Delta musicians into their songs.
Elvis Presley and Little Richard are just two of the artists who have cited Sister Rosetta Tharpe as a major influence in their music, and the 1960s revival of masters like Skip James and Son House inspired British Invasion acts like Cream and Deep Purple.
Decline of the Delta Blues and the Rise of the Swing Era
As the Great Depression descended upon the world, the decline of the Delta blues began. Falling sales forced many record companies to close their doors. For the Delta blues musicians who were often forced to play popular songs live, leaving their original compositions for the recording studio, this was a serious loss.Some musicians were able to adapt their styles, however, molding the traditional African-based rhythms that were so popular in blues, jazz and ragtime into something less controversial for white audiences of the day. The result was swing music, and it was destined to have its own impact on the history of rock.
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