By the early 1970s, the electric blues guitar reached its peak in mass popularity. With roots in the post-World War II Chicago blues style marked by amplification and picking solos, the electric blues was pioneered by African-American guitarists including T. Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Freddy King, Albert King, Chuck Berry, Magic Sam, Buddy Guy and many others.
White American and British guitarists also introduced many young listeners to the electric blues in the late ’60s and early ’70s thanks to the advent of FM radio and rise of rock albums. These artists include Johnny Winter, Mike Bloomfield, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman and Pete Townshend, among others.
Here are 8 clips of pioneering electric-blues artists in the early 1970s:
Albert King at the Fillmore East in 1970…
Johnny Winter in Copenhagen in 1970…
Freddie King in 1973…
Pete Townshend and the Who in 1970…
B.B. King in 1973…
Howlin’ Wolf in 1970…
Muddy Waters in 1970…
Big Mama Thornton with Buddy Guy’s band in 1970…
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