Exploring The History of Blues Rock: A Journey Through the Genre’s Roots (Part 2)
The music that moves us in so many ways — from the British invasion to the modern days.
Check part 1 first!
The British Invasion: Electric Guitars and British Blues Rock
As the Chicago Blues found success in the United States, many British artists were also experimenting with the genre as well. Taking cues from American artists such as Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, the brits infused their own style into their compositions to make them unique. Bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Animals, and The Beatles began to create a new type of blues rock. This was a modern take on the Delta tunes, featuring electric guitars and a louder, more intense sound.
The music of the British Invasion was a reaction against the wholesome and happy sound of the 1950s. It represented a shift towards a more rebellious and edgy genre, with rock and roll artists pushing the boundaries of good taste. With their creative use of feedbacks, distortion, and fuzz boxes electric blues-rock guitarists were able to create a distinct sound that had never been heard before. It quickly galvanized listeners and kept them hooked for more.
Soon, it became an anthem for the times — the anthem of youth culture in Europe and America — often being a driving force behind both cultural movements and social change. In today’s world, electric guitars can be seen everywhere: from blues festivals to heavy metal gigs or on rock albums. Whether it’s Keith Richards’ iconic “Satisfaction”, Jimmy Page’s “Stairway to Heaven” or any other classic track from the golden era of rock, the electric guitar is a global phenomenon.
With legendary bands like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin creating hits that still remain iconic today, the ’60s played host to some of the most influential musicians in history. From Eric Clapton’s trailblazing guitar solos to John Mayall’s boogie-infused rhythms, this era was an exciting time for the British blues-rock scene.
The Emergence of Modern Blues Rock
Since the 60s, blues rock has emerged as one of the most popular and influential rock genres. It has a rich history of some legendary bands who strove to create new soundscapes and explore new musical frontiers. From Cream, Free, and Santana to modern-day legends like Gary Clark Jr., Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Beth Hart; these performers have pushed the boundaries of blues-rock creating an entirely new language in music that still resonates with millions of ears, hearts, and souls all over the world.
With its electrifying riffs and dynamic vocal performances, the blues rock movement certainly made its mark as a genre in the last decades of the 20th century. To me, some of the most iconic musicians from that era are Jonny Lang, Lurrie Bell, Coco Montoya, and Jeff Healey. The 00s were just as memorable — from legendary icons such as The White Stripes and The Black Keys to newer talents like Band of Skulls and The Kills, blues rock has provided a great soundtrack for both guitar enthusiasts and casual listeners alike (as well as six seasons of Peaky Blinders). From John Mayer’s pop twists to Dan Auerbach’s attitude, 00s artists were continually reinventing the genre with their own creative flair. Whether you want to jam out to dirty guitar solos or chill with some acoustic melodies, the decade gave birth to a variety of great performers for you to check out.
Meanwhile, the 2010s were a chaotic talent fair — while The Strokes revived the garage rock sound of the 1960s, The Raconteurs revitalized bluesy songwriting and guitar playing. From Royal Blood’s hard-hitting riffs and Cold War Kids’ smooth melodies to Alabama Shakes’ timeless anthems and Reignwolf’s edgy yet soulful jams, there are various stops at this part of the journey.
And since it’s too early to discuss who’s shaping the new 20s right now, let me babble a bit about my personal favorites.
- The Black Keys. Yes, I am that basic. But have you listened to their “Rubber Factory” album? From “Aeroplane Blues” to “Till I Get My Way”, it’s full of iconic (and extremely underrated) songs. With its raw energy, diverse sound, and powerful lyrics, no wonder it is one of The Black Keys’ most celebrated albums. In my case, Rubber Factory resonates with something that’s hidden deep inside. The darkest, the gloomiest, and the bluesiest corners of my soul.
- Black Pistol Fire. A mainstay of every garage rock playlist since 2014, the duo is fuelled by southern rock and blues, placing them at the intersection of bands like The White Stripes, Band of Skulls, and Cage the Elephant. True kings of live performances, they have opened for The Black Keys and The Gutter Twins, and if their single “Speak of the Devil” does not tear your heart apart, you simply have NO heart. Black Pistol Fire blends elements of classic and modern blues rock, punk, and funk into an explosive, energetic mix. I highly recommend you to check out their live session on KEXP that starts with “Hipster Shakes”, one of the band’s most iconic songs.
- Cold War Kids. With their driving rhythms, distorted guitars, and soulful vocals, the band has been praised by many critics for their fresh take on blues rock. Although I personally think they’re a wild mix of blues, rock, soul punk, and pure, unfiltered heartache (here’s a great example of what I mean). Nathan Willett’s voice is truly something out of this world — it’s a punch in the gut, a midnight howl, it’s the voice of pain itself.
- Reignwolf. From “Black And Red” to “Over & Over”, Jordan Cook never misses. The band has become well-known for their energetic live shows and their unique sound has been compared to Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, and early Ministry. Plus, besides his skillful guitar playing and adaptability, the lead singer looks just like Keanu — what else is there to dream of?
- Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown. Those guys are so great that I didn’t even want to include them in the list at first. You know how it is — some artists are so good you want to tell the world about them, but then there are others who are even cooler, and you want to gatekeep those for as long as possible. That’s the case. But here I am, telling you about the biggest gem in my music collection, mostly because of how criminally underrated they are. This Nashville-born, blues-rock quartet is relatively new — they broke out in 2013 when their album Wild Child hit the US charts and have been touring extensively ever since. Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Lynyrd Skynyrd — that’s not even the whole list of the bands they opened for. And believe me when I say that TB&SD don’t just warm up the stage — they burn it down. From dreamy “Ramblin’ Bones” and passionate “Devil’s Keep” to beautifully done “Like The Old Me” and “The Wayside”, there’s a tune for every stop of your sadness trip.
The Lasting Impact of Blues Rock on Modern Music
The blues is often considered the foundation for many modern musical styles, including rock and roll, reggae, jazz, and country. While the genre has evolved and changed over time, its lasting influence on modern music can’t be overstated. To me, blues is a cultural fabric that has generated a wealth of tunes ranging from lighthearted to deeply personal, from love songs to protest songs, from rollicking and earthy to gut-wrenching and heart-rending. And when it comes to blues rock, its soulful twang of guitar riffs and powerful vocals are as full of variety and diversity as they are of emotion and feeling.
From the raw, powerful music of the Delta blues, to the experimental sounds of modern performers, the genre itself tells a story — a story about people, their dreams, and the high cost of making them come true.
Every bad situation is a blues song waiting to happen.
Amy Winehouse
Whether you’re just getting acquainted with the genre or you’ve been exploring it for years there’s something special about experiencing how far it has come over time. I hope you enjoyed our little journey through history as we uncovered everything there was to know about this fantastic style.
Leave a comment down below if you have more artists to share with me and be sure to follow me as I’m already working on my next article about the Ukrainian rock scene and you wouldn’t want to miss it.
