The Blues Had A Baby And They Named It Rock ‘n Roll: We Salute The Blues Greats At Our Rock ‘n Blues Explosions Fest 2025

A great line by Chicago bluesman, Muddy Waters. It became the title of a song on his 1977 album, “Hard Again”. So today we introduce our DEMO version of “Saludomos Blues” /”We Salute You Blues”. DEMO means of course, that we’re testing and refining it going forward. It’s Below.

What Do You Think? Keep Working On It? Or Not (You Know…Don’t Give Up Your Day Jobs Vortex)?

Here’s the Muddy Waters song, and some background research.

Background Info:

The saying “The blues had a baby and they named it rock ‘n roll” encapsulates the idea that rock ‘n’ roll music evolved directly from the blues genre. Here are the details behind this saying:

Origin

• Muddy Waters: The phrase is most commonly attributed to blues legend Muddy Waters, who used it in his song “The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll” from the album “Hard Again” released in 1977. Muddy Waters is considered one of the pioneers of modern Chicago blues and had a significant influence on the development of rock ‘n’ roll.

Meaning

• Blues Influence: The blues, originating from African American communities in the Deep South of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, laid the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll. The blues’ structure, themes, and rhythms provided the groundwork upon which rock ‘n’ roll was built.
• Cultural Fusion: Rock ‘n’ roll emerged in the 1950s as a genre that combined elements of blues, rhythm and blues (R&B), jazz, gospel, and country music. This fusion created a new sound that appealed to a broader, often younger, audience.
• Musical Characteristics: Rock ‘n’ roll adopted the 12-bar blues chord progression, the blues scale, and the use of guitar solos, all of which are hallmarks of traditional blues music.

Notable Figures

• Chuck Berry: Often considered one of the forefathers of rock ‘n’ roll, Chuck Berry’s music was deeply rooted in the blues. His guitar riffs and song structures drew heavily from the blues tradition.
• Elvis Presley: Known as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Elvis’s early music was heavily influenced by the blues, and he often covered songs by blues artists.
• Little Richard: Another key figure in the transition from blues to rock ‘n’ roll, Little Richard’s energetic performances and piano style were steeped in the blues.

Legacy

• Continuing Influence: The influence of the blues on rock ‘n’ roll continues to be acknowledged and celebrated by musicians and music historians. Many rock musicians, from the Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin, have credited the blues as a primary influence on their music.
• Cultural Impact: The birth of rock ‘n’ roll from the blues is seen as a significant cultural shift, marking a move towards a more diverse and inclusive music industry and the breaking down of racial barriers in music.

The saying “The blues had a baby and they named it rock ‘n roll” succinctly captures this rich history and the deep connections between these two influential genres.