Blues rock was popular during the late 60’s and throughout the 70’s. The name Blues Rock is a magic fusion between blues music and rock and roll music. In the blues rock sound, the guitars take centre stage and create a fast paced and heavy sound. Long guitar riffs are prominent in blues rock and artists love to show off their guitar playing skills!
The main artist/band that people associate with the sound of blues rock is John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers in the 60’s. John Mayall employed some of the world’s best musicians of the generation: people such as Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton. Mick Taylor and Peter Green to name but a few. People he employed in the Bluesbreakers went on to create some of the best bands in the 1970’s – Free, Fleetwood Mac, Cream and Savoy Brown.
Black musicians also enjoyed a revival in interest during the blues rock era in the 70’s. Artists such as Buddy Guy, Freddie King and Ronnie Earl became famous, international music stars.
It was in the mid 70’s that blues rock started to wane a little and other forms of rock music were to become the new sound – Heavy metal, hard rock and southern rock were to become insanely popular.
Some blues rock tracks are Born in Chicago by Paul Butterfield blues band, Have you ever loved a woman by Eric Clapton and Tell Mama by Savoy Brown.
Tags: black musicians, blues band, blues music, blues rock, guitar riffs, john mayall and the bluesbreakers, mick taylor, paul butterfield, rock and roll music