1913 Muddy Waters is born
Muddy Waters was born in a small town outside of Rolling Fork, Mississippi.
1920’s Learned Guitar
He taught himself the guitar and harmonica and by age 17 decided he wanted to be a musician.
1933 Early life as a sharecropper
Muddy was raised by his grandmother who lived and worked on the Stovall Plantation. They were a family of sharecroppers.
1941 Library of Congress
Muddy was the first blues musician recorded for the Library of Congress historical records in 1941.
1943 Chicago
Muddy moved to Chicago to become a full-time musician recording for Phil and Marshall Chess and brought other blues talent to the Aristocrat Records label.
1950’s The Muddy Waters Blues Band
Muddy assembled one of the most acclaimed blues groups in history: Little Walter Jacobs on harmonica, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Elgin Evans on drums, and Otis Spann on piano.
1960’s Newport Jazz Festival
Muddy performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, he recorded one of the first live blues albums, At Newport 1960, and his performance of "Got My Mojo Working" was nominated for a Grammy award. His performance introduced white audiences to the blues and he became an international crossover success.
1970’s International Success
“The Blues had a baby and he named it Rock and Roll.” --Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters became a powerful influencer for rock and roll bands, from the Rolling Stones--who named themselves after Muddy’s recording I Am A Rolling Stone, to ZZ Top, to Eric Clapton, To Jimi Hendrix to countless others.
1980’s Legacy
Muddy’s legacy as a blues musician is only paralleled by his legend as one of the greatest guitarists to ever live. His technique on the electric guitar has been studied the world over.
1982 Death
Muddy Waters died peacefully in his sleep from heart failure due to complications from lung cancer but his music and legacy will live on forever.
Muddy's Legacy
The Father is Born
Muddy Waters was given the title as one of the fathers of Chicago Blues and a key figure in the history of blues.
Grammy Awards
Muddy Waters received 6 Grammy Awards and 11 nominations during his Chicago Blues era.
The Electric Guitar
Muddy Waters’ was incredible with his development of an electric blues band sound.
Support Muddy Waters
Preserve His Legacy Sharing Muddy Water's Priceless Music With The World
Muddy Water Shirts
Remember The Father Of The Blues By Wearing One Of These T-Shirts The Next Time You Go Out!
The Blues Favorites
Events
Our friends at Blues Blast Magazine have nominated Muddy Waters Live At Rockpalast for two Blues Blast Music Awards in the categories of "Live Blues Album" and "Historical Vintage Blues Album”!! The winner ...
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If you’re headin' out to the Chicago Blues Festival, the largest free blues festival in the world, this weekend (June 8 – 10), come visit the Muddy Waters Foundation booth in the Wrigley Square section of Mi...
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Listen up closely, Blues Heads and artists! Have y’all ever wanted to design a t-shirt in honor of The Mud? We’re giftin’ two fans $200 each for designs that are more fun than a sackful of kittens! Your M...
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