Greatest Blues Artists

Perhaps the most famous blues artist ever, King attained unprecedented mainstream success thanks to his prodigious guitar skills and support from artists such as Eric Clapton,

One of the first legendary American musicians to die at the young age of 27, Johnson is most well known for the legend that he sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads so he could be a great blues musician

He was a god in the blues scene, he must be included to this list

Hammond was instrumental in sparking or furthering numerous musical careers, including those of Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, Big Joe Turner, Pete Seeger, Babatunde Olatunji, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Bob Dylan, Freddie Green, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, Arthur Russell, Asha Puthli and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He is also largely responsible for the revival of delta blues artist Robert Johnson's music.

Influenced a generation of famous rock stars from Clapton to Zeppelin to Jimmi Hendrix. Rock and Roll as we know it today would not exist if it wasn't for Muddy

A favorite of The Doors, Hooker was known for his gravely, emotion-laden voice and repetitive, hypnotic guitar riffs.

The man had the most amazing voice in blues history and his songs were made famous by The Doors, Led Zeppelin and The Yardbirds.

Probably the best blues guitarist ever. He cannot be omitted from this list.

Legend Guitarist, vocalist, pianist, bass guitarist and drummer. Influenced by many that are on this list.

Jimmy Paige.....

Put out the best blues album (along with Magic Sam's West Side Soul) of the 60's Born Under A Bad Sign

ummm... well... Elvis... 'nuff said. Did Elvis get omitted for so long to give everyone else a chance at #1?

Because Ray took the blues and invented Rock 'n' Roll not mention he dabbled in almost every genre know to man. This man is god.

When he played for Fleetwood Mac and his solo stuff , he should be recognised as british leading blues guitarist

he was supporting bb king when he was 12!!!!

Has been in the blues seen for decades, and blues legend Eric Clapton invites him to the Crossroads guitar festival everytime the event happens.

Does this entry really need a reason? Sonny Boy Williamson, by far the greatest Chicago blues artist ever.

Just listen to the music, influence,

Needs no introduction. This guy IS the blues. Listen to Bullfrog blues or Tattoo'd lady and you'll know what I mean.

Although still a new band, they have successfully bridged the gap between blues rock and popular music. From future guitar classics like 'thickfreakness', to rockin' blues anthems like 'I Got Mine,' the Black keys are proving that the blues isn't a music style of a bygone era, but a form that is kicking and screaming to be rediscovered by a new generation.

The Rolling Stones ranked him at 9 place of best guitarist of all time.

One of the greatest all-timeTexas blues guitarists. No list is complete without the "Three Kings," B.B., Albert & Freddy.

simply the best

Self taught on a 3 string electric guitar. His voice and music style are what the blues are all about

Great West Side Chicago Singer/Guitar Player. His Cobra sides are some of the best of the genre.

Along with R.L. Burnside one of the best hill country blues musicians. RIP R.L and Jr.

aberdeen misissippi blues

He mixes all types of genres from grunge to blues. He very heavily deserves a spot on this list.

Little Milton, is little known, but highly valued. true blues down to the bone,

How is it possible that this Legend isn’t on this list? The founding father of British Blues whose musical career spans over fifty years. In the 1960s, he introduced to the world a young Eric Clapton followed by Peter Green & then a young Mick Taylor as well as Mick Fleetwood amonst so many other leading blues players.

Actually I am quite appalled at how few women are on this list. Big Mama Thornton, Ruth Brown, Memphis Minnie, Sippie Wallace, Ida Cox, Julia Lee, Big Maybelle (A personal favorite), Etta James, Irma Thomas, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ma Rainey (A legend and lesbian to boot), Katie Webster (maybe the best blues pianist after say Pinetop...). Bonnie Raitt is one of the few blues musicians make it in the crossover to pop but she is blue down to the core, if she wasn't people like Taj and Keb wouldn't be lining up to play with her.

This famous jazz musician himself, Louie Armstrong, wrote one of the best songs of all time, "What a Wonderful World".

One of the all-time great ones. How could he not be in the top 20?

Look him up. NOT having him high on this list for his influential importance would be a crime. He wrote the song that changed Elvis's life, and eventually launched his career. Everybody knows, like him or not, Elvis is practically single handedly responsible for Rock 'n Roll becoming so huge. Cruddup's song, "That's All Right Mama" was THE song that got the studios paying attention to Elvis. Until that moment, his career was going nowhere.

Beautiful blues piano, second to none

Give a listen to the Live at the Living Room in NYC videos on Youtube. Sean passed at the young age of 28 and IMHO never hit his peak as a blues guitarist. He's played with some of the great blues artists and deserves to be on this list.

Australian blues singer with the classic blues 'gravel' voice.

Rockin' Wailin' Moanin' Growlin' Sexy ! Five good reasons she should be on this list.

I noticed most of these folks are guitar slingers and that's fine but let's give props to the piano too.

One of the newer kids on the block. Talented man. Check out ' Butt naked free' from 2000.

The Harp God

electric blues transitioning to rock. pure awesome

All I have to say is B.B. King did a whole album of Louis covers, that should say something.

Five amazing albums before the Iron man's passing. RIP Mikey....

Please, I cannot believe The White Stripes or Jack White isn't on here. I shouldn't even need to say why.

Awesome contemporary Mississippi delta blues rock

one of the most influential gospel blues artists who have influenced a generation of bluesmen including dylan and elvis costello. His haunting vocals on '"none of us are free" are the best. Sadly he is no more but his music lives on

I don't know why he wasn't listed sooner than this. He is Louisiana Blues...

The Original Blues Star.

there are allot of people on this list that don't come up to keb mo in both traditional and contemporary blues. he is an amazing technician on the guitar and sings and plays with feeling and respect for his roots. there are allot of people on this list that are a little too cross over to really be considered as blues players even though they can do justice to the genere. being a musician, i respect them all and find it really hard to categorize or compare notes on what is really the blues, country, jazz or even classical for that matter. like us, music evolves, especially with technology expanding our ability to create and share like robert johnson and leadbelly could never have even dreamed was possible. think of where their music could have gone with a les paul, a few effects and a marshall stack. it is a shame to lose track of the roots and the people that planted the seeds and watered them. they deserve a place on the list. a better comparison would be top 50 before 1960 and top 50 post 1960.

Last of the great Mississippi Delta bluesmen!

very good music listen to him amazing songs like my soul in Louisiana and ten million slaves

They play great.

He has played with many great Blues musicians, he's great.

Grammy winner

Doyle and Derek Trucks are the best modern blues player. Doyle also has a great voice.

He's funky, and funny!!

blues legend

Some of the most classic blues out there. And smack in the middle of rock-blues' most prevalent era.

Just see him live

Started the whole British Blues thing.

One of the greatest american guitarists influenced by the blues legends. He has done great blues songs included in his solo albums