Blues Guitar Evolution – Big Bill Broonzy

Standing immediately in the middle of the incredible evolution of blues from the front porches and fields of America is Big Bill Broonzy, the often cited, but rarely seen blues guitar player who influenced generations of modern musicians.

Big Bill really had 3 careers wrapped up in one, starting with more traditional country blues evolving to a more refined (and popular with white audience) blues sound more reminiscent of the Chicago blues sound ending his career by delving deeply into folk, perhaps merging his earlier country traditional blues roots with his more popularized urban blues guitar sound.

I live listening to his stuff because every time I listen to one of his songs I here pure innovation in the guitar, something that even shines through some 70-80 years later.

Born in June of 1898 playing guitar well into the 1950’s before his death in 1958, Big Bill Broonzy is definitely someone a new or experienced blues guitar player can learn from.

For instance, watch this brilliant version of Hey, Hey – a very early guitar shuffle with both hands extremely active while he keeps such an infectious rhythm…no wonder he became one of the earliest blues guitar artists that crossed over into popularity across colors…watch this carefully: