Originating from African American work songs and spiritual hymns, blues music first found widespread renown during the 1920s in the Deep South.

Some legendary artists in blues still perform today.

If you want something memorable to listen to before passing on, why not check out some of these top blues artists.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee Hooker was an iconic blues musician renowned for his innovative hybrid of delta blues and boogie. His songs explored topics including sexual violence, guilt, revenge and love; he is widely recognized for expanding the boundaries of blues music while inspiring many artists such as the Blues Brothers.

Hooker learned the guitar from his father as a youngster. He sang at church services and listened to spirituals; when it came time for him to create his own blues music, he took inspiration from various sources to develop an entirely original style – one very distinct from traditional delta blues.

Hooker first began performing in clubs around Shreveport, Louisiana during the late 1940s, attracting the notice of local record store owner Elmer Barbee who introduced him to Bernard Besman a producer and record distributor who then recorded some of Hooker’s songs.

As the 1950s progressed, white audiences increasingly became interested in blues and R&B music. As a result, many traditional country blues artists were rediscovering and becoming popular once more; this allowed Hooker to return into prominence as an audience-pleasing bluesman.

Hooker made his European tour in 1962 and quickly became a key influence for many young British musicians, who looked up to him as both hero and role model.

Hooker was honored with induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980, winning two Grammy awards and being an inspiration to younger musicians.

The GRAMMY Museum will honor John Lee Hooker with an exhibit called, “John Lee Hooker: King of the Boogie.” It will open its doors on August 22, 2017 and include rare recordings, photos and other unique artifacts related to John Lee Hooker.

Mississippi John

As you’ll discover, Mississippi John was an influential blues musician of his era, having an impactful three-finger style and mixing gospel influences with folk music influences to produce unique three-finger guitar music. Additionally, he excelled as both singer and fiddle player.

He’s often mistakenly classified as a Delta bluesman, though his music owes more to Hill Country Piedmont blues than Delta sounds. Known for his syncopated picking technique and soft-spoken songs.

Hurt first picked up his guitar at age nine, and soon started performing at parties in Avalon, Mississippi where he lived. Although other Mississippi bluesmen performed at dances as well, Hurt’s intricate fingerpicking technique wasn’t strong enough to keep up with fast tempos required for dancing.

Willie Narmour was recommended by his friends and acquaintances to the OKeh Record Company of Memphis for recording sessions that cost them no money; OKeh paid for his train ticket, recording 12 sides that would later become 78 rpm records.

But with the Depression’s arrival came record company closure and Hurt fell into obscurity until blues revivalists in the 1960s rediscovered him and he continued his touring and making more albums.

Even without commercial polish, Hurt recorded his recordings in concert-quality venues using professional audio equipment. Since his recordings have been rediscovered by folk and blues enthusiasts around the globe. The Library of Congress holds two collections (AFC 2011/026:SR059-SR064) of Hurt’s performances and stories that span 60 recordings – plus, in 1963 he recorded in their Coolidge auditorium!

Blind Willie Johnson

Blind Willie Johnson remains one of the most influential blues artists alive today, his powerful vocals and quicksilver slide guitar still having an enormous effect on many musicians today. Blind Willie’s acoustic blues is both bluesy yet sacred due to being inspired by African American gospel traditions prevalent during his time in South Carolina during the 1920s.

Harry Smith recorded an album of Howlin’ Wolf’s recordings, so I was able to experience this powerful music for myself in 2002. It resonates deeply within me; indeed, Howlin’ Wolf and Van Morrison both credit it as having had an immense influence.

It is difficult to describe this man’s musical work; his music was an expression of spirituality. He spent much of his life singing gospel songs on the streets in Texas towns and cities in exchange for donations from passersby on his guitar.

His songs were typically wordless hymns, built around the yearning cries of his slide guitar and the moans of his voice. At times, the guitar would play a low melody that suggested being stuck in a deep mud hole before his voice rose high to add its own distinctive tunes with similar melody lines.

This music was both powerful and entertaining; I can imagine its songs being broadcast all around the globe on radio stations.

His music remains influential today; decades after his passing. His distinctive style of playing – known as the “Blind Willie Johnson Moan” – continues to influence generations of guitarists around the globe.

Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith is widely considered one of the greatest blues singers. Her powerful voice and timeless music has had an enormous effect on numerous artists’ careers including Billie Holiday, Mahalia Jackson and Ottilie Patterson – as well as being an essential component of modern music itself. Bessie’s recordings remain timeless classics of contemporary music.

Born into poverty in Chattanooga, Tennessee and living a harsh upbringing. Her father died young while raising her younger sister was her sole caretaker.

Beginning early on, she earned money singing on street corners for cash. Andrew would often accompany her on guitar; an African-American musician practice at that time.

At eighteen, she began working with Moses Stokes on his traveling minstrel show. This life proved to be challenging with long hours, low pay, gambling and alcohol abuse being daily realities of minstrel touring life.

Bessie Smith was greatly influenced by Ma Rainey, an esteemed figure who introduced her to blues singing. Bessie made her first recording for Columbia Records in 1923 and soon after gained popularity throughout the South with various performing groups.

In 1929 she made her film debut starring in two-reeler St. Louis Blues which she had written herself. Backed by a jazz band she performed the song with panache.

Bessie’s album became the inaugural major recording from a blues artist. It became an instant classic and sold millions of copies, cementing Bessie as one of music’s biggest stars.

Bessie Smith is widely considered one of the iconic figures in popular culture. Distinguished by her strong personality and unmistakable vocal talent, Bessie quickly rose above other race singers of her day to pioneer rock ‘n’ roll music – while simultaneously becoming an important social activist who fought for equal treatment of working-class women.

B.B. King

B.B. King stands as one of the premier blues musicians, revered for his soulful vocals, exceptional guitar playing skills and expressive lyrics that epitomize blues music. His songs have been covered by numerous artists around the globe and still resonate with audiences worldwide.

Born in Mississippi, King was an unwavering performer who struggled against racism and systemic inequality. Finding strength through music, his perseverance ultimately saved him from facing death at lynching hands.

King was inspired by blues musicians like Bukka White in the Delta to guitarists like Aaron “T-Bone” Walker on guitar; as well as jazz artists such as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian for inspiration.

He excelled at playing single-string guitar, with its emphasis on human vocalization rather than chording, to achieve success and spread this style widely.

After enjoying early success with hits in the 1950s, he ultimately made waves with “The Thrill Is Gone,” his 1969 crossover pop hit that reached into pop charts and earned him a Grammy. From there on out he became both a national institution and cult hero performing concerts at theaters and concert halls nationwide.

Daniel de Vise’s meticulously researched book about this legend should be required reading for any fan. It’s truly captivating and moving how a young man from an impoverished plantation managed to become one of the world’s foremost artists through hard work, humility and tireless drive. Fans will not want to miss this fascinating and moving tale!

As well as his musical accomplishments, King is widely recognized for creating FAIRR (Foundation for the Advancement of Inmate Rehabilitation and Recreation), an organization dedicated to improving conditions inside prisons. He was honored with membership into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and numerous awards and honors throughout his career; furthermore, he opened his own museum/Delta interpretive center in Indianola Mississippi.