A roundup of the greatest Western blues artists in history
Even if you’ve never really listened to the genre called “the blues,” if you love music you’ve surely heard expressions like “bluesy.” The world of the blues—often said to be the origin of major genres like jazz and rock—is truly profound, and once you get hooked, it’s hard to escape its charm.
This article spotlights artists who represent the blues, presenting a roundup of greats, each with a powerful individuality and memorable stories.
Whether you’re interested in the blues or you’re a rock fan, be sure to check it out!
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Compilation of the Greatest Western Blues Artists in History (1–10)
LaylaEric Clapton
Eric Clapton is a world-renowned guitarist from the United Kingdom and also known as a singer-songwriter.
In genres like blues and rock, he is truly a legendary artist who will go down in history.
He debuted in 1963 with the Yardbirds and went on to perform with several famous bands, including John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Cream.
He contributed to classic albums such as Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire.
As a solo artist, he began working in earnest in the 1970s, releasing signature songs like Layla and Wonderful Tonight, and scoring hits with albums such as Unplugged and Slowhand.
His exceptional blues phrasing and emotional playing continue to influence countless guitarists to this day.
He’s an artist I’d recommend not only to rock fans, but to anyone aspiring to play the guitar.
Death Letter BluesSon House
Son House, from the American South in Mississippi, helped give birth to Delta blues.
Also a preacher, House began performing the blues at 25 and is said to have reached a professional level within weeks; he was a master of slide guitar.
In the 1930s he performed with Charlie Patton, a major star of Delta blues, and later became a central figure in the folk-blues revival of the 1960s.
His hallmark was religiously inflected singing and a straightforward bottleneck guitar style, making him a vital artist who conveys the roots of Delta blues to the present day.
House influenced Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, and more than 30 years after his passing he continues to be loved by many blues fans.
Hoochie Coochie ManMuddy Waters
Born in the U.
S.
state of Mississippi, Muddy Waters is known as a leading figure of Chicago blues.
Familiar with music from an early age, Muddy moved to Chicago in 1943 and established his own blues style incorporating the electric guitar.
Many of his collaborations with artists like Little Walter and Willie Dixon had a major impact on the later rise of blues rock.
You also shouldn’t miss his later masterpieces, such as Fathers and Sons and Hard Again.
If you like blues or rock, he’s an artist you should definitely listen to.
A roundup of the greatest Western blues artists in history (11–20)
St.Louis BluesBessie Smith
Often called the Queen of the Blues, Bessie Smith is one of the most famous blues singers in the United States.
Born in Tennessee in 1894, Smith produced numerous hits after her 1923 debut, including “Downhearted Blues,” and captivated countless listeners with her overwhelming vocal power—recognitions include induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Her voice conveys independence, fearlessness, and even sexual freedom, and her powerful blues, which pierce the depths of the listener’s heart, continue to shine without fading.
She is an artist recommended not only for fans of blues and jazz, but for all music lovers who are drawn to the raw human voice.
Smokestack LightningHowlin’ Wolf
Born in 1910 in White Station, Mississippi, Wolf—nicknamed “The Howlin’ Wolf” for his roaring howl—projected one of the most commanding presences among Chicago-based blues singers.
His 1962 album Howlin’ Wolf, also known as The Rockin’ Chair Album, is hailed as a pinnacle of Chicago blues and an all-time classic.
The songs, created through sessions with top-tier musicians including Willie Dixon, have lost none of their luster and continue to captivate blues fans to this day.
Blues PowerAlbert King
Albert King, an American blues musician who created a unique string-bending guitar style and influenced three generations of musicians.
A guitarist from Indianola, Mississippi, he established a self-taught approach by playing a regular guitar upside down despite being left-handed.
He began his professional career in 1953 and later signed with Stax Records.
He released numerous influential tracks such as “Crosscut Saw” and “As the Years Go Passing By,” and gained further popularity with his 1967 album Born Under a Bad Sign.
He’s an artist I highly recommend to anyone interested in the blues!
Sweet Home ChicagoBuddy Guy
Buddy Guy, the legendary guitarist hailed as a prodigy of the blues.
Growing up on Chicago’s South Side, he explored a distinctive playing style under the influence of Muddy Waters.
He signed with labels like Cobra Records and Chess, which helped establish the West Side sound, and also worked extensively as a session guitarist.
In the 1970s, he opened his own Chicago club, Buddy Guy’s Legends, and inspired countless guitarists with an expressive approach rooted in traditional blues while incorporating elements of soul and free jazz.
His polka-dot-finished Fender guitar became his trademark, and he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He is a must-listen guitarist for anyone who loves the blues.