The history of blues is full of fantastic musicians, but who are the best blues singers of all time? Here is my attempt to present what I think are the top three.

Muddy waters

Now of legendary status, he was the first “star” of the blues and has never been overshadowed by countless protégés. His thick, heavy voice, laid-back delivery, and firm, almost solid personality are considered a benchmark for all blues singers. His style was essentially Delta blues adapted to amplification. His imaginative gliding technique and strong driving rhythms were the forerunners of modern blues.

Waters dominated the Chicago blues scene in the 1950s and, with the help of songwriter Willie Dixon, produced a string of hits such as “Hoochie Coochie Man”, “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “I ‘ m Ready “. Those songs are now considered blues classics.

They gave him a series of sensations, developed the image of Macho now synonymous with blues, and allowed Waters to achieve national prominence. His tours in English ignited the British blues explosion of the 1960s that became so important not only for blues but for rock music in general. It would be difficult to overstate the influence Muddy Waters has had on modern music.

Koko taylor

Known as the “Queen of Blues”. His vocal delivery was powerful and rough rivaling his male counterparts. She was discovered by Willie Dixon in 1962 and recorded her song “Wang Dang Doodle. It established Taylor as a leading blues singer, however, she was unable to further her commercial success until she was signed to Alligator Records in 1975. 8 of the nine albums she released. recorded for Alligator, they were nominated for a Grammy.

Taylor became the dominant female blues singer, winning twenty-five WC Handy Awards (more than any other artist). After a near fatal car accident, he appeared in the films “The Blues Brothers 2000” and “Wild at Heart”. Taylor influenced many singers, including Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, and Shemekia Copeland. She is still the most prominent blues singer.

John mayall

“The Father of British Blues” is best known for his uncanny ability to uncover great players like Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor, yet he has one of the most distinctive voices in the blues. Perhaps because he is not a black American, he has developed his own style rather than conforming to established norms.

His astonishing vocal range, which is often broken into falsetto, is more of a whining groan than the usual “deep growl”. He seems to have been influenced by his hero JB Lenoir rather than the usual Muddy Waters / Howling Wolf like many of his contemporaries. . John Mayall is unique among blues vocalists.