Big Mama Thornton
Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton (December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter known for blues and R&B music. The Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul described Thornton as having a strong voice, a large frame, and an energetic stage presence. Her performances made audiences cheer and dance in R&B theaters across the United States from the early 1950s onward.
Ruth Brown
Ruth Alston Brown (born Weston; January 12, 1928 – November 17, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was sometimes called the “Queen of R&B.” In the 1950s, she helped bring a pop music style to R&B songs for Atlantic Records. Some of her popular songs include “So Long,” “Teardrops from My Eyes,” and “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean.” Because of her work, Atlantic Records became known as “the house that Ruth built,” a nickname that refers to the old Yankee Stadium.
Etta James
Etta James, born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938, and died on January 20, 2012, was an American singer and songwriter. She began her career in 1954, performing in Nashville’s R&B clubs, which were part of the Chitlin’ Circuit during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. She sang in many music styles, including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, and soul.
Koko Taylor
Koko Taylor (born Cora Ann Walton, September 28, 1928 – June 3, 2009) was an American singer known for her music styles, which included Chicago blues, electric blues, rhythm and blues, and soul blues. She was often called “The Queen of the Blues” because of her strong and powerful singing voice. During her career, she was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards.
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Lynn Raitt ( / r eɪ t / ; born November 8, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. In 1971, she released her first album, which was named after her. After this, she created a series of highly praised albums influenced by traditional music styles such as rock, blues, country, and folk.
Edgar Winter
Edgar Holland Winter was born on December 28, 1946. He is an American musician who sings and plays keyboards, saxophone, and percussion. His greatest success came in the 1970s when he was part of the band the Edgar Winter Group.
Johnny Winter
John Dawson Winter III was born on February 23, 1944, and passed away on July 16, 2014. He was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. Winter was known for his high-energy blues rock music, live performances, and slide guitar playing from the late 1960s until the early 2000s.
Mike Bloomfield
Michael Bernard Bloomfield was born on July 28, 1943, in Chicago, and he died on February 15, 1981. He was an American blues guitarist and composer. In the 1960s, he became a popular music star because of his skill with his guitar.
Paul Butterfield
Paul Vaughn Butterfield was born on December 17, 1942, and passed away on May 4, 1987. He was an American musician who played the blues harmonica, sang, and led musical groups. After learning to play the flute classically, he became interested in the blues harmonica.
James Cotton
James Henry Cotton (July 1, 1935 – March 16, 2017) was an American blues musician who played the harmonica, sang, and wrote songs. He performed and recorded with many famous blues artists, including Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, as well as with his own band, The James Cotton Blues Band. Cotton started his professional career in the early 1950s, learning from Sonny Boy Williamson II and playing the harmonica in Howlin’ Wolf’s band.