Who Are The Greatest Blues Stars Of All Time?

With the constant evolution of blues music, and all of the talented and unique musicians that have sung the blues and continue to sing the blues, it is hard to narrow down a list of the best. While everyone who has passed through the genre has added his or her unique touch, some definitely stand out more than others. Here are the top three greatest blues stars of all time.

Howlin’ Wolf

You cannot even bring up the topic of blues without thinking of Howlin’ Wolf. Wolf was perhaps the most awe-inspiring figure in blues history for many reasons. He had a voice that would literally howl, he had an onstage presence that is simply unmatched, and he was a legend to the music industry as well as in his life off stage. The powerful songs he belted out and his extremely unique style can never be duplicated. While Wolf was often considered to be raw, or downright rough, he was actually a loving and generous man. His music came out of a dark place in his soul, and was a result of his difficult childhood that caused him to be rejected by his mother.

Wolf’s music is also considered to be a cornerstone for many of the white rock bands who formed in both the United States and England in the 1960s and 1970s. While Wolf had only five records make the Billboard R&B charts, he is most definitely held in the highest regard amongst the blues community.

Muddy Waters

Another undeniable blues legend is the one and only Muddy Waters. Waters was born in 1913, 1914, or 1915 (documents vary) and grew up with very humble roots on a plantation in Mississippi. It was here that he honed his craft and became one of the Delta’s leading blues musicians. Waters had such a powerful presence and style, he later became known as the “godfather” to many blues and rock musicians. Many other famous musicians, including The Rolling Stones, credit Waters with providing the inspiration for their own music.

B.B. King

Last, but most certainly not least is B.B. King. King became the most popular blues artist for African Americans in the 1950s, which helped to propel him into being one of the most recognized bluesmen in the entire world by the 1970s. King quickly became a household name, and is lovingly referred to as the “King of Blues”. This honor is not only for his tremendous talent, but also for his personal drive to become the best at everything he did, his professional approach, and his ability to act as a global ambassador for the blues genre. He single handedly took blues to heights it had never before been able to achieve. It is hard to think of anyone more important to blues than King, and his unique sound and style is certainly one to be celebrated.