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20.8k voters

The Best Blues Artists of All Time

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated October 27, 2020 101.3k votes 20.8k voters 1.3m views225 items

List RulesBest artists of the blues genre--a style that originated in African-American communities in the Deep South of the U.S.

Whether you like Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, or that bluesy broad Etta James, there's now denying they're all some of the most famous blues musicians of all time. This list of blues singers, ranks the best blues music artists, singers, and musicians, and has been voted on and ranked by blues fans worldwide. Add your own list or vote on the top blues artist in history here. These best blues singers are known for their great voices and music that will stand the test of time, and for spearheading legendary tracks with their good blues bands.

Note that this ranking is for blues artists only - no best blues/blues rock bands here. Many of the greatest bluesmen, old blues singers, and female blues artists are sadly no longer with us, but their legacies live on, often in rock artists who sold millions more records with versions of classic blues songs written by these great blues legends.

Who are the greatest blues artists? These are best blues musicians the world has to offer, from the Mississippi Delta to the streets of Chicago, Detroit, and even London. Make sure to vote for the blues greats you consider to be the top blues artists of all time.

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Stevie Ray Vaughan
Couldn't Stand the Weather, In Step
Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Rock music, Instrumental rock, Electric blues, Jazz fusion
See: The Best Albums Of Stevie Ray Vaughan
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The Best Stevie Ray Vaughan Songs of All Time#118 of 739 The Best Singers of All Time
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Albert King
I'll Play the Blues for You, In Session
Genres (Music): Soul blues, Electric blues, Rhythm and blues, Blues
See: The Best Albums Of Albert King
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B.B. King
Let the Good Times Roll, Live at the Regal
Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Soul blues, Rock music, Memphis blues, Electric blues
See: The Best Albums Of B.B. King
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The Best B.B. King Albums of All Time#47 of 316 The Greatest Singers of the Past 30 Years
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244
T-Bone Walker
Good Feelin', Charly Blues Masterworks
Genres (Music): Jump blues, Chicago blues, Texas blues, Blues, West Coast blues
See: The Best Albums Of T-Bone Walker
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#102 of 179 The Best Bands That Are Named After Foods#6 of 44 The Best Texas Blues Bands/Artists
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1,283
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Lightnin' Hopkins
The Very Best of Lightnin' Hopkins, Mojo Hand
Genres (Music): Electric blues, Country blues
See: The Best Albums Of Lightnin' Hopkins
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#142 of 542 The Greatest Guitarists Of All Time#68 of 279 The Greatest American Rock Bands
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3,072
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Robert Johnson
King of the Delta Blues Singers, The Complete Recordings
Genres (Music): Rock music, Blues, Country blues, Delta blues
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Muddy Waters
Anthology, Super Blues
Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Chicago blues, Rock music, Electric blues, Rhythm and blues
See: The Best Albums Of Muddy Waters
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The Best Muddy Waters Albums of All Time#170 of 603 The Best Rock Vocalists
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Willie Dixon
I Am the Blues, Jazz in Paris: Aux Trois Mailletz
Genres (Music): Jump blues, Chicago blues, Rock music, Rhythm and blues, Rock and roll
See: The Best Albums Of Willie Dixon
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The Best Willie Dixon Albums of All Time#149 of 816 These Poetic Geniuses Wrote Your Favorite Songs of All Time
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1,208
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Elmore James
King of the Slide Guitar: The Complete Trumpet, Chief & Fire Sessions
Genres (Music): Rhythm and blues, Blues
See: The Best Albums Of Elmore James
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1,858
503
Jimi Hendrix
First Rays of the New Rising Sun, Band of Gypsys
Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Rock music, Experimental rock, Psychedelia, Heavy metal
See: The Best Albums Of Jimi Hendrix
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Wild Stories From The Guitar-Shredding Life Of Jimi Hendrix#28 of 196 The Greatest Male Pop Singers of All Time
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Sonny Boy Williamson II
One Way Out, Don’t Send Me No Flowers
Genres (Music): Harmonica blues, Gospel music, Blues
See: The Best Albums Of Sonny Boy Williamson II
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1,022
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The goose dude
I Love the Woman / Hide Away, Getting Ready...
Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Rock music, Blues, Funk
See: The Best Albums Of Freddie King
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The Best Freddie King Albums of All Time#12 of 118 The Best Musical Artists From Texas
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John Lee Hooker
I'll Play the Blues for You, Live at the Fox Venice Theatre
Genres (Music): Americana, Electric blues, Talking blues, Blues, Country blues
See: The Best John Lee Hooker Albums
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#47 of 639 The Greatest Lead Guitarists Of All Time#117 of 126 The Best Black Rock Bands

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Howlin' Wolf
The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions, The Genuine Article
Genres (Music): Chicago blues, Electric blues, Blues
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#870 of 2,443 The Most Influential People of All Time#138 of 185 The (Male) Singer You Most Wish You Could Sound Like
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717
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Mississippi John Hurt
Today!, I'm Satisfied
Genres (Music): Folk music, Country, Blues, Country blues, Delta blues
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809
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Little Walter
Boss Blues Harmonica, Confessin' the Blues
Genres (Music): Chicago blues, Rock music, Rhythm and blues, Blues
See: The Best Albums Of Little Walter
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#190 of 193 Rock Stars Whose Deaths Were The Most Untimely#371 of 525 Which Artist Would You Bring Back From The Dead To Write One More Song?
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Son House
Delta Blues, The Legendary 1941/42 Recordings in Chronological Sequence
Genres (Music): Blues, Country blues, Delta blues
See: The Best Albums Of Son House
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#3 of 65 The Best Delta Blues Bands/Artists#25 of 25 Real Names of Famous Blues Guitarists & Singers
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Buddy Guy
Damn Right, I've Got the Blues
Genres (Music): Chicago blues, Electric blues, Blues
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Albert Collins
Collins Mix: The Best Of, Showdown!
Genres (Music): Blues-rock, Blues
See: The Best Albums Of Albert Collins
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The Best Albert Collins Albums of All Time#10 of 160 The Best Blues Rock Bands and Artists
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Blind Lemon Jefferson
Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, Volume 1: 1925–1926
Genres (Music): Blues
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Ray Charles
The Birth of Soul, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Genres (Music): Soul blues, Pop music, Rock music, Vocal jazz, Rhythm and blues
See: The Best Albums Of Ray Charles
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The Best Ray Charles Albums of All Time#73 of 291 The Top Country Artists of All Time
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Blind Willie Johnson
Sweeter as the Years Go By, The Soul of a Man
Genres (Music): Gospel music, Blues
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#895 of 1,728 The Best Rock Bands of All Time#13 of 114 The Best Country Blues Bands/Artists
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Etta James
At Last!, Tell Mama
Genres (Music): Rock music, Rhythm and blues, Rock and roll, Jazz, Soul music
See: The Best Albums Of Etta James
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Billie Holiday
Lady in Satin, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday at Newport
Genres (Music): Torch song, Ballad, Swing music, Traditional pop music, Vocal jazz
See: The Best Albums Of Billie Holiday
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The Unprecedented Rise And Tragic Death Of Billie Holiday#9 of 602 The Best Female Vocalists Ever
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Otis Rush
Right Place, Wrong Time
Genres (Music): Chicago blues, Electric blues, Rhythm and blues, Blues
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#35 of 115 The Best Musical Artists From Pennsylvania#19 of 114 The Best Chicago Blues Bands/Artists