History of British Blues
Introduction
This section provides the reader with a history of British Blues as an on-line educational information resource in terms of articles and essays, interviews with legendary British blues artists, memories and memorabilia from readers lucky enough to have witnessed the early British blues scene, recommended British blues history books and references to other websites containing the history of British blues. We hope this is interesting and useful. Please feel free to email [email protected] with any comments / additional material / etc.
Artist Directories and Galleries
Here you will find directories and photographic galleries of legendary British blues artists and bands including rare previously unpublished material. Being developed in conjunction with Earlyblues.com - to be published in 2018.
Click here - for a directory of early British blues artists, their backgrounds, home towns and musical associations.
Click here - for a directory of early British blues bands, their formation, composition and years active.
Biographies
Biographies of early British blues artists
Here you will find a series of biographies of early British blues artists and bands.
Interviews
Interviews with legendary British blues artists
Here you will find a list of interviews with legendary British blues artists including reminisces of the early scene.
Articles and Essays
Articles and Essays on British Blues
Here you will find articles and essays on the birth of British Blues, sources and influences, evolution of British blues and where we are today.
Events
Reviews of British Blues Events
Here you will find reviews of gigs and festivals on the British blues scene.
Memories
Memories of the Early British Blues Scene - Readers own memories of the early British Blues scene
Memorabilia - memorabilia of the early British Blues scene
In Memoriam
Obituaries of early British blues Artists - new section with more entries coming soon
Here you will find a series of obituaries, dedications and biographies in memory of early British blues artists and those involved in the early British blues scene who have sadly passed on.
Early British Blues Clubs and Venues
Early British Blues Clubs - more details coming soon.
Here you will find details of clubs and venues in the early British blues scene including artists and bands that performed at the clubs.
Early British Blues Festivals
Early British Blues Festivals - more details coming soon.
Here you will find details of festivals with predominantly blues content in the early British blues scene including artists and bands that performed at the festivals.
Early British Blues Organisations
Here you will find details of early organisations dedicated to the promotion of British blues. Coming soon.
Vintage British Blues Magazines
Synopsis of British Blues magazines - coming soon.
Here you will find a synopsis of British blues magazines, plus those published in several European countries.
Reproductions of vintage British blues magazines
Here you will find reproductions of complete volumes of early vintage British blues magazines.
Classic British Blues Albums
Reviews of classic British blues albums
Here you will find reviews of classic British blues albums from the 60s and 70s.
Charting The Blues
Here you will find articles on blues artists who were successful in the UK record charts.
American Folk Blues Festival and The British Tours (1963-1966)
American Folk Blues Festival and The British Tours (1963-1966)
The American Folk Blues Festival toured Europe as an annual event for several years beginning in 1962. It introduced audiences in Europe, including the UK, to leading blues performers of the day such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson, most of whom had never previously performed outside the US. The tours attracted substantial media coverage, including TV shows, and contributed to the growth of the audience for blues music in Europe.
On 7 May 1964, Granada Television broadcast Blues and Gospel Train, a programme directed by John Hamp featuring Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Rev. Gary Davis, Cousin Joe and Otis Spann. For filming, the company transformed the disused Wilbraham Road railway station into "Chorltonville", giving it the supposed appearance of a southern U.S.-style station. About 200 fans were brought by train to the platform opposite the performers. The performance was interrupted by a rainstorm, after which Tharpe performed the gospel song "Didn't It Rain".
Further Reading, Background and Reference
Recommended British Blues History Books
Here you will find a bibliography of blues books concerning the history of British Blues.
Links to websites with British Blues History content
Here you will find a list of websites which cover the history of British Blues.
Links to Videos about the History of the Blues
Here you will find references to videos about the history of the blues, from its roots in the southern states of America to its influences in British Blues.
Further Research into British Blues
Here you will find a list of research articles on British Blues and their sources for those requiring further in-depth research.