Fifty songs that were part of rhythm and blues heritage but which didn’t fully find a mainstream audience until they were remade.
One of the greatest independent labels in history, the music of Chess Records still sounds revolutionary.
It's the quintessential blues riff, but what is its strange history? Performed by everyone from Robert Johnson to Elmore James, we trace the song's origins.
With his track record on disc, and his voracious appetite for touring still intact, Miller's place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is well-earned.
One of the finest artists on the illustrious Chess label, Howlin’ Wolf shaped the blues, as this playlist of 20 of the best Howlin’ Wolf songs makes clear.
More than just the man that discovered Elvis Presley, Sam Phillips know the roots of American music better than most, having grown up in the Deep South.
On January 3, 1950, Sam Phillips opened Memphis Recording Service at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, later to be known to the world as Sun Studio.
Unlike pop stars, most blues artists have never been obsessed with image. But there are still some great blues album covers out there.
Released in 1964, The Rolling Stones’ version of Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Little Red Rooster’ became the first blues record to top the UK singles chart.
'Little Red Rooster' was the Rolling Stones' second single to top the UK chart, proof of the staying power they would show time and time again.
A controversial album for both Howlin’ Wolf and his fans, ‘The Howlin’ Wolf Album’ was a psych-blues experiment that is much more than a novelty listen.
The songs that influenced The Rolling Stones most have all come from the blues tradition – as the ‘Confessin’ The Blues’ compilation reveals.
Ken Burns’ compelling documentary, ‘The Vietnam War’ explores one of the darkest hours in US history and the music that came out of it.
The subject of evil will remain one of interest to songwriters, no matter how controversial & unsettling. The Devil does indeed get some of the best songs.
Who wrote the first ever blues song and what was the first ever recorded blues song? We dig deep to find out the fascinating history of recorded blues.
