Chicago blues
Windy City sound
Chicago blues is an electrified, urban style of blues that developed in Chicago after World War II, when Southern musicians migrated north and amplified the Delta blues tradition.
The sound features electric guitar, amplified harmonica, bass, drums, and sometimes piano, with a harder edge and fuller band arrangement than its acoustic predecessors.
Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf defined the genre, which became a foundation for rock and roll.
Chicago blues founding figure
- Buddy GuyLegendary blues guitarist
- classicOf lasting excellence
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- influentialHaving considerable effect
pioneering · tradition · legacy · golden era · timeless · vintage · foundational
Signal-strengthening electronic device
- guitarFretted stringed instrument
- harmonicaHandheld reed wind instrument
- slideSmooth continuous movement
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
riff · solo · lick · amp · fender · distortion · pedal · fretboard
Subdued, lasting sadness
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
- soulfulExpressing deep emotion
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- rawIn original state
gut-wrenching · yearning · poignant · passionate · intense · mournful · lamenting · weeping
City's lower district
- juke jointInformal Southern music bar
- clubOrganization with membership
- barroomTavern drinking area
- tavernPublic drinking establishment
ghetto · migration · neighborhood · nightlife · L · downtown · streetscape · Windy City
Muddy Waters
Chicago blues founding figure
- Buddy GuyLegendary blues guitarist
- classicOf lasting excellence
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
influential · pioneering · tradition · legacy · golden era · timeless · vintage · foundational
amplifier
Signal-strengthening electronic device
- guitarFretted stringed instrument
- harmonicaHandheld reed wind instrument
- slideSmooth continuous movement
pickup · riff · solo · lick · amp · fender · distortion · pedal · fretboard · twang
melancholy
Subdued, lasting sadness
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
- soulfulExpressing deep emotion
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
raw · gut-wrenching · yearning · poignant · passionate · intense · mournful · lamenting · weeping · crying
South Side
City's lower district
- juke jointInformal Southern music bar
- clubOrganization with membership
- barroomTavern drinking area
tavern · ghetto · migration · neighborhood · nightlife · L · downtown · streetscape · Windy City · cityscape
- American musicjazz, country music, rock, country, hip hop
- BluesB.B. King, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Buddy Guy, Howlin Wolf
- Chicagothe Loop, Lake Michigan, Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, the Bean
- American Rootsbluegrass, country, folk, jazz, spirituals
- Black Musicjazz, gospel choir, hip hop, R&B, funk
- regional musicAppalachian music, New Orleans jazz, Nashville sound, Motown, Memphis soul