The origins of blues is not unlike the origins of life. For many years it was recorded only by memory, and relayed only live, and in person. The Blues were born in the North Mississippi Delta following the Civil War. Influenced by African roots, field hollers, ballads, church music and rhythmic dance tunes called jump-ups evolved into a music for a singer who would engage in call-and-response with his guitar. He would sing a line, and the guitar would answer.

In the 1940s and 1950s, increased urbanization and the use of amplification led to electric blues music, popular in cities such as Chicago, Detroit and Kansas City and best exemplified by such artists as Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Little Walter and John Lee Hooker. The blues have strongly influenced almost all popular music including jazz, country, and rock and roll and continues to help shape music worldwide.