Motor City Blues
The blues took a new turn when it emerged in Motor City Detroit Michigan. A town where before was considered barren, the blues made the town a hotspot for music. With musicians such as John Lee Hooker and Washboard Willie the blues had made its mark in the music industry.
After the blues took over, white people took the sound and used it to create their precious “rock and roll.” All of the sampling music from black blues artists were taken so that mainstream could enjoy the music as well from all white singers.
It took the intelligence of the mogul, Berry Gordy who rose and created Motown Records where black musicians could finally get the recognition and the airplay they deserved. Of course, the blues did not stop while Motown was in session, in fact they borrowed from each other throughout the decade.
But with Motown thriving alongside the Detroit Blues, competition for the dominating sound emerged. The blues had put to the forefront soul singer Etta James to compete with the Motown musicians. Etta James released hit after hit including, “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “At Last” that helped keep the blues alive in their hometown.
Work Citied
Chilton, Martin July 9 2019 “Detroit Rock City: A History Of Motor City Music” https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/detroit-music-history/
Callwood, Brett Jan 23 2012 “City Slang: Etta James, “I’d Rather Go Blind”, and the Detroit connection” https://www.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2012/01/23/city-slang-etta-james-id-rather-go-blind-and-the-detroit-connection
