Blues Rock, that is. We’re going from the Stones to the Strypes with this playlist of blues rock through the years (Well, from the 60s to the present).
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones helped to bring the British Blues scene (which, coincidentally, was forged from an interest in American jazz and blues) to America. They were seen as the “bad boys” compared to The Beatles, which was surely in part because of their more gritty, bluesy rock music.
The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds were considered more traditional than the Stones when it came to the blues, but they still put their own spin on blues rock. During the Eric Clapton era of the band especially, The Yardbirds managed to carry their blues-heavy rock through the various changes rock went through in the 60s and stay true to their roots.
Led Zeppelin
It may seem like I’m just trying to fit Led Zep into every post, but they did play a role in the blues rock world. Jimmy Page, founding member of the band, came from the just-mentioned Yardbirds, and thus brought the bluesy rock guitar playing to Led Zeppelin. Though their style wouldn’t widely be considered blues rock, the influences can be seen mixed in with their more signature, hard rock style.
The White Stripes
Fast forward 30 years, and the duo of Jack and Meg White, a.k.a. The White Stripes, appear. Guitarist and lead singer Jack helps to keep blues rock alive by twisting it into more of a blues-punk style. Their unique style made them innovators in the alternative world during the 2000s.
The Black Keys
Like The White Stripes, The Black Keys are a singer/guitarist and drummer duo playing blues rock. However, their respective interpretations of the blues rock style are vastly different. Where The White Stripes fused blues with punk, The Black Keys kept it simple with their gritty, classic blues rock style. Though they experiment with different sounds on their albums, their underlying influence continues to be blues-oriented.
Jack White
Even more so than he did with The White Stripes, Jack White uses his solo career to twist and morph his blues rock guitar playing into a sound that’s completely different from anything currently being played.
The Strypes
One of the newest editions to the blues rock world, The Strypes are an Irish band composed of all teenagers. Though they may be young, their talent shines through in their music and their commitment to the blues rock style.
-N
Mixtape Musings 