Roundup of Famous Overseas Blues Guitarists
Have you ever come across a song, or a part of a song, being described as “bluesy” while listening to rock or pop? There are many forms of the blues, which is said to be the origin of jazz and rock, and its style can’t be summed up in a single phrase.
Still, those plaintive phrases that evoke the sorrowful historical backdrop in which the blues was born feel distinctly “bluesy,” don’t they? This time, we’re spotlighting legendary guitarists who represent the blues—icons every beginner should know first, along with guitarists who’ve been gaining attention in recent years.
The soulful playing of these blues guitarists might just change your outlook on life!
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- Famous guitarists of the world. Great guitarists who have etched their names into history.
- Blues masterpieces—from prewar blues to blues rock
- A roundup of the greatest Western blues artists in history
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Summary of Famous Overseas Blues Guitarists (21–30)
Goin’ to ChicagoT-Bone Walker
This play, which doesn’t look particularly difficult as a visual performance—like fast guitar shredding—actually has many charms.
The contrast from playing very softly to very loudly is striking, and that’s the mark of a genuine, seasoned bluesman.
Going Down The Road Feeling BadJohn Mayer
John Mayer has become an indispensable figure not only in the blues scene but in contemporary American music as a whole.
Still, his roots in the blues remain unchanged.
Even in this song, which seems to nod to Southern rock, you can savor his exceptional technique and rich blues feeling.
Feel So BadLittle Milton
Little Milton, born in 1934, is an artist who stands as a leading figure of the Memphis blues.
His music is often perceived as somewhere between blues and R&B, but when you listen to this track, I think you’ll realize it’s not a “middle ground” but a true “hybrid.”
Big BlockJeff Beck
Jeff Beck has continued to deliver astonishing guitar work across a wide range of genres, not just rock.
Even so, his roots are undeniably in the blues.
In this video, recorded at a live show in Tokyo, his uniquely Beck brand of blues guitar explodes brilliantly amid a heavy sound.
Wild About You BabyHound Dog Taylor
Hound Dog Taylor, whose trademark is a powerful slide guitar in the vein of Elmore James, had been active since the 1950s, but he didn’t gain popularity until the 1971 album “Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers,” which includes this song.