1. Dave O’Brien Boston University MU757 Blues Curriculum for High School Classroom

2. Development of Chicago Blues During the 1920’s, Southern Blacks are lured to the prospect of jobs and a new life in the North. Delta Blues is now performed in urban settings. “The sheer magnitude of talent attracted by these areas, as well as their existing music scenes, recording and performing opportunities, and the forthcoming arrival of technology and amplification, led to an evolution of the Delta blues.”

3. Development of Chicago Blues Prohibition in the 1920s forced entertainers and patrons to find new ways to “party.” Speakeasies now replace taverns and pubs as entertainment centers. Blues musicians would perform in these clubs on all sides of the city. They would also perform at parties, on street corners, or where ever people would listen.

4. Development of Chicago Blues By the late 1940s, Chicago was in its peak of Blues popularity. This popularity would last well into the 1960s and 70s. Musicians like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf helped to take the Delta sound and create a more “raw” version of it. Full band arrangements were now popular featuring Electric Guitar, Bass, Drums, Harmonica, and Vocalists.

5. Chess Records Polish immigrants Leonard and Phil Chess purchase Aristocrat records and changed the name to Chess Records. This is the label on which much of the Chicago Blues was recorded and preserved.

6. Development of Chicago Blues During the 1950s and 60s, more Blues musicians, such as Buddy Guy and Otis Rush would come to the forefront of the thriving musical culture. “Chicago's contribution to the blues is immeasurable and its traditions continue in the city's blues clubs and in the enduring music of its legendary artists.”

7. Review Why did most Southern Blacks move up to northern cities like Chicago? What was prohibition? How did musicians and patrons find their way around it? What did the Chicago Blues sound like? What instruments were now used and how? What did Chess Records do for the Chicago Blues style? Do certain cities provide a musical culture? Please explain.

8. Howlin’ Wolf 1910-1976 Chester Arthur Burnett Innovator of post-war Electric Blues. Took the “rural” sound and made it into the raw Chicago style. His mother disowned him for singing “Devil’s” music instead of religious music.

9. Howlin’ Wolf Started off in clubs and juke joints in Mississippi. Inspired by performers such as Charley Patton, Tommy Johnson, Son House, and Robert Johnson. After leaving the Army, Wolf formed his own group and a local radio station saw potential. Worked and performed at a radio station. Recorded for Chess Records. Popular bands like the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds toured with Wolf to get his name to a broader audience. Wolf outlived his Blues “competitors” and put well known musicians into his “super bands.”

10. Howlin’ Wolf Wolf had wealth and fame. This was very different from the other Bluesmen at the time. After Wolf’s death, his wife was left well off with royalties. Plays a huge role in the history and development of American Popular Music.

11. Muddy Waters 1915-1983 McKinley Morganfield First played harmonica then learned guitar at age 17. Recordings show the influence of Son House and Robert Johnson. Moved to Chicago in 1943 and by 1947 changed his name to Muddy Waters.

12. Muddy Waters In 1948 he signed to Aristocrat Records which became Chess Records. Played electric guitar at this point and had a “vibrant slide guitar” style which was matched with a loud and “hard” voice. Muddy Waters’ band in 1950 also consisted of Little Walter (harmonica), Otis Spann (piano), and Jimmy Rogers (guitar). Toured the USA and Europe and would frequently re-record his songs from the 1950s. His influence has extended to Rock and Roll bands such as the Rolling stones. An accident in 1970 forced Waters to perform sitting in a chair from then on.

13. Blues and Beyond… Buddy Guy B.B. King Jimi Hendrix Eric Clapton Stevie Ray Vaughan John Mayer “Who do YOU think are considered ‘Blues’ musicians today?”

14. Chicago Blues How is the Electric Blues the same as the Delta Blues? How is it different? How is an Electric Blues group much like a popular group of today? How is it different? Do you think Electric Blues would be popular today?

15. Lightning in a Bottle

16. Blues Discussion… The recordings of Alan and John Lomax have stood the test of time. Do you think the recordings of today’s music will have the same impact on people years down the road? How would you describe the life of a Blues musician? Which modern stars show the “Blues performer” mentality? Why do you think so? Could the music of today have been formed without the influence of Blues music? What influence do we take from this music? What influences have moved us forward into the styles we know today?