Chicago Kingsnakes Educational Proposal
“From the Delta to The Prairie”
This performance / lecture traces the origins of the Blues as an acoustic music from the Mississippi Delta to Chicago IL, where it became electrified, and it's influence on Rock and Roll.
I. The history of Chicago Blues, it’s origins from the Mississippi Delta and influence on popular music.
A. The Blues are a unique American art form. Born in the Delta from the African American experience.
1. Turn of the century 1900
2. Mississippi Delta - Bounded by Memphis TN. MS River, Yazoo River. Vicksburg MS
3. Cotton fields, field holler - call & response - AAB format
B. Early musicians
1. 1920’s – Regional music Son House, Charlie Patton guitar and harmonica
2. Robert Johnson (Hazelhurst, MS 1911 - 1938)
a. Deal with devil at the crossroads hwy 61 & 49, Clarksdale MS
b. Recorded 29 songs 1936 and 1937
c. Poisoned by jealous husband of lover – strychnine in whiskey at age 27
d. Influenced: Muddy Waters, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton
e. Perform "Dust My Broom" (acoustically)
3. Muddy Waters ”McKinley Morganfeld" (Rolling Fork MS / Clarksdale 1913-1983)
a. 1941 Stovall Plantation , Alan Lomax/ John Work Library of Congress
b. 1943 – Moved to Chicago- Electrified
c. Influenced: Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin
d. Perform "I Just Can't Be Satisfied" (acoustically)
II. The Great Migration
A. Illinois Central Railroad, Black Migration early to mid 20th century
B. Maxwell Street - Turn of the century open market – Jewish Merchants
C. Record Row – Chess, VeeJay, Mercury and Vanguard Records
1. Vivian & James Bracken, most successful label before Motown
2. Phil & Leonard Chess, Aritocrat,Chess, Checker, Cadet labels
3. Howlin Wolf ”Chester Burnett" (West Point, MS 1910-1976)
a. Influenced: Jimi Hendrix, Wolfman Jack
b. Perform "Little Red Rooster" (acoustically)
c. Perform "Killing Floor" (electric band)
4. John Lee Hooker (Coahoma County / Clarksdale, MS 1917-2001)
a. Influenced: Canned Heat , ZZ Top
b. Perform "Dimples" “Boogie Chillun”(electric band)
5. Jimmy Reed (Dunleith, MS 1925-1976)
a. Influenced: Elvis Presley, Yardbirds, Grateful Dead
b.Perform "Baby What You Want Me to Do" (electric band)
III. Rock and Roll
A. Bo Diddley "Ellas McDaniel" (McComb, MS 1928-2008)
1. Beat (shave & a haircut)
2. Influenced: Buddy Holly, Bruce Springsteen, U2
3.. Perform "Who Do You Love" “Crackin Up”(electric band)
B. Chuck Berry (St, Louis, Mo 1926)
1. Introduced by Muddy Waters to Chess Records
2. Influenced: Beatles. Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, AC / DC
3. Perform "Johnny B. Goode" (electric band)
C. Fathers and Sons - Muddy Waters collaboration with next generation musicians
1. Perform " Got My Mojo Workin" (electric band)
2. Close – Robert Johnson, perform “Sweet Home Chicago”
Q & A
James Anderson 312-953-2534 www.chicagokingsnakes.com E: [email protected]