#1 Big Bill Broonzy
Born William Lee Conley Broonzy, Big Bill Broonzy was born June 26th, 1903 in Jefferson County, Arkansas. Broonzy’s guitar style sounds like a full ragtime orchestra, and he accomplished this solely by himself. Eric Clapton’s acoustic guitar playing was heavily influence by Big Bill. He died from throat cancer in 1958 and his exact death date remains uncertain. His final resting place is Lincoln Cemetery located in Blue Island, Illinois.
Notable Songs: “Hey Hey,” “Glory Of Love,” “When Did You Leave Heaven,” and “Guitar Shuffle.”
#2 Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield, known as Muddy Waters, was born April 4th, 1913 in Issaquena County, Mississippi. Recognized for his searing electric slide guitar work and powerful expressive vocals, he created, shaped, and molded Electric Blues. Muddy Waters died from cardiorespiratory arrest and carcinoma of the lungs on April 30, 1983 at his home in Westmont, IL. He is buried at Restvale Cemetery in Alsip, IL.
Notable Songs: “I Can’t Be Satisfied,” “Your Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Rollin’ Stone,” and “Louisiana Blues.”
#3 Jimmy Reed
Jimmy Reed, Mathis James Reed, was born September 6th, 1925 in Dunleith, Mississippi. Known for cool, hypnotic, and effortless rhythms, he was one of the first musicians to play harmonica and guitar at the same time. Also, he’s known for his deceptive V chord. He crossed over and had hit songs on the Billboard charts. On August 29th, 1976 Jimmy Reed died in his sleep while on tour in Oakland, California. You can find his grave at Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Illinois.
Notable Songs: “Bright Lights Big City,” “Big Boss Man,” “Baby What You Want Me To Do,” and “Honest I Do.”
#4 Kokomo Arnold
Kokomo Arnold, real name James Arnold, was born February 15th, 1901 in Georgia. Known for his intense rapid vocals, he played slide guitar left-handed. Kansas Joe McCoy helped him get a deal at Decca Records. Robert Johnson’s “Sweet Home Chicago” is from Arnolds, “Old Original Kokomo Blues.” He died November 8, 1968 from a heart attack in Chicago and lies at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.
Notable Songs: “Old Original Kokomo Blues,” “Milk Cow Blues,” “The Twelves,” and “Back Door Blues.”
#5 Tampa Red
Tampa Red, born Hudson Woodbridge, also known as Hudson Whittaker was born January 8th, 1903 in Smithville, Georgia. Known as the guitar wizard and the man with the gold guitar, he was one of the first Bluesmen to make it in Chicago. He influenced everyone ranging from Big Bill Broonzy, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, to Robert Nighthawk. With a clear, bell-like voice and guitar tone, he was a master songwriter and slide guitarist. Tampa Red died penniless March 19, 1981 in Chicago. He’s buried at Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens West in Willow Springs, Illinois.
Notable Songs: “It Hurts Me Too,” “Anna Lou Blues,” “Uncle Bud,” and “Seminole Blues.”
#6 Dinah Washington
Ruth Jones, stage name Dinah Washington, was born August 29th, 1924 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A singer, piano player, and master of multiple styles of music, she gave herself the title “Queen of the Blues.” Dinah had hit songs and a tough, feisty, fierce vocal delivery that commanded attention. She died December 14th, 1963 from a drug overdose in Chicago and was laid to rest at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.
Notable Songs: “The Blues Ain’t Nothin’ but a Woman Cryin’ for Her Man,” “What a Diff’rence a Day Made,” “Backwater Blues,” and “Key to the Highway.”
#7 Howlin’ Wolf
Howlin’ Wolf, real name Chester Arthur Burnett, was born June 10th, 1910 in White Station, Mississippi. Known for his wolf-moon howls, the Chicago Bluesman was a towering, powerful figure who played guitar and harmonica. He had Billboard charting music. In 1976, he underwent brain surgery for a brain tumor. He died January 10th, 1976 in Hines, Illinois due to complications from the procedure. He’s buried at Oakridge Cemetery in Hillside, IL.
Notable Songs: “Smokestack Lightnin’,” “Spoonful,” “Evil,” and “Killing Floor.”
#8 Koko Taylor
Koko Taylor, real name Cora Anna Walton, was born September 1928 in Shelby County, Tennessee. She was a Chicago Blues singer known for her growling, gritty deep vocals. She was a successful Blueswoman in a male dominated industry. Her recording “Wang Dang Doodle” sold over a million copies. She died June 3rd, 2009 in Chicago after surgery from gastrointestinal bleeding. Koko is entombed at Washington Memory Gardens in Homewood, Illinois.
Notable Songs: “Wang Dang Doodle,” “I’m A Woman,” “Voodoo Woman,” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.”
#9 Little Walter
Little Walter, real name Marion Walter Jacobs, was born May 1st, 1930 in Marksville, Louisiana. He was an innovative, creative Chicago Blues force known for his amplified, unique harmonica sound. He also was a sideman in Muddy Water’s band. His songs were smash hits for Chess Records. He died February 15th, 1968 in Chicago after he was hit in the head with a lead pipe over a gambling dispute. He was put to rest at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Notable Songs: “Juke,” “My Babe,” “Hate To See You Go,” and “Blue And Lonesome.”
#10 Otis Spann
Otis Spann’s birthdate is unknown. It is thought he was born March 21st, 1930 in Jackson, Mississippi. A Chicago Bluesman, excellent side man, and impeccable piano player, he played with Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Johnny Shines. He died April 25th, 1970 from cancer in Chicago and was interred at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.
Notable Songs: “Spann’s Stomp,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” “Moon Blues,” and “Someday.”
