"History of the Blues in 50 Guitar Riffs," which was posted to the interwebs in 2013 by a YouTube user named learn torock, traces the evolution of blues guitar in 50 riffs, all in glorious black and white, then sepia, then color.
Here's the info that was posted along with the clip. Note that you can find a complete list of the songs he plays just below the video. And he even spells "Stevie Ray Vaughan" correctly, which is a miracle in itself.
"This video is my tribute to evolution of blues in the 20th and early 21st century. The riffs and licks were chosen based on their historical value (some are just my favorite ones). It is arguable that some riffs are not "blues," but I recorded them anyway, because their influence (or the influence of the artist who played them) is [strong] and/or the blues roots are clearly visible.
"I regret for not finding the time to insert more important riffs, mostly in the early periods, and some of the pioneers of the blues/rock in the Sixties, like Cream. Maybe next time. Oh, and sorry for the killer-serious faces in the video."
50 Blues & Blues/Rock Guitar Riffs:
1. Black Snake Moan - Blind Lemon Jefferson - 1927
2. Matchbox Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson - 1927
3. Sittin' on Top of the World - Mississippi Sheiks - 1930
4. Devil Got My Woman - Skip James - 1931
5. The Angel's Message to Me - Reverend Gary Davis - 1935
6. Crossroads Blues - Robert Johnson - 1936
7. Sweet Home Chicago - Robert Johnson - 1937
8. Key to the Highway - Big Bill Broonzy - 1941
9. Boogie Chillen' - John Lee Hooker - 1948
10. Baby, Please Don't Go - Lightnin' Hopkins - 1948
11. Rollin' Stone - Muddy Waters - 1950
12. Rollin' & Thumblin' - Muddy Waters - 1950
13. Dust my Broom - Elmore James - 1951
14. Mannish Boy - Muddy Waters - 1955
15. Need Your Love so Bad - Little Willie John - 1955
16. Smoke Stack Lightnin' - Howlin' Wolf - 1956
17. Mojo Hand - Lightnin' Hopkins - 1960
18. Tobacco Road - John Loudermilk - 1960
19. Hideaway - Freddie King - 1960
20. Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker - 1961
21. Little Red Rooster - Howlin' Wolf - 1961
22. Stone Crazy - Buddy Guy - 1962
23. Homesick's Shuffle - Homesick James - 1964
24. John Henry - Mississippi Fred McDowell - 1966
25. Born Under a Bad Sign - Albert King - 1967
26. Red House - Jimi Hendrix - 1967
27. Oh, Pretty Woman - Albert King 1967
28. Jumper on the Line - RL Burnside 1967
29. Crosscut Saw - Albert King 1967
30. The Thrill is Gone - BB King 1969
31. Killing Floor - Albert King - 1969
32. Taylor's Rock - Hound Dog Taylor - 1971
33. La Grange - ZZ Top - 1973
34. Cradle Rock - Rory Galagher - 1973
35. Sweet Home Chicago - Blues Brothers - 1980
36. Bad to the Bone - George Thorogood - 1982
37. Rood Mood - Stevie Ray Vaughan - 1983
38. Pride and Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughan - 1983
39. Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan - 1983
40. Born Under a Bad Sign - Roben Ford - 1988
41. See the Light - Jeff Healey - 1988
42. Oh Pretty Woman - Gary Moore - 1990
43. Damn Right I Got the Blues - Buddy Guy - 1991
44. Layla Unplugged - Eric Clapton - 1992
45. He Don't Play Nothing But the Blues - Roben Ford - 1993
46. Riding With the King - Eric Clapton & BB King - 2000
47. Ball and Biscuit - The White Stripes - 2002
48. Cut My Wings - Seasick Steve - 2006
49. Ballad of John Henry - Joe Bonamassa - 2009
50. Tedechi Trucks Band - Come See About Me - 2012
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Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
