Rockin’ Blues in Clarksdale, Mississippi!

Bellies filled, we were ready to take on Clarksdale. Home to Sam Cooke, Ike Turner, The Delta Blues Museum, The Riverside Hotel, The Ground Zero Blues Club, and one of the funkiest dives anywhere, Red’s Lounge. (click here to see our full story on the Mississippi Blues Trail!)

The Rock & Blues Museum in Clarksdale Mississippi

But of all of the attractions we took in, The Rock & Blues Museum was our favorite. The idea here is to show the progression of The Blues and how it gave birth to so much of our current music. This is accomplished by using a most amazing collection of records and memorabilia laid out as a timeline.

From some of the earliest 78s ever made, to almost every classic from any baby boomer’s teenaged 45 and LP collection, to disco and then modern pop, this place is a trip down memory lane that anyone who’s ever owned a good old vinyl record can get lost in. Curator Theo Dasbach, who collected most of this himself, gave us an in-depth overview. But seriously, we can’t even begin to list the treasures displayed here, it would take page after page and we’d still leave something huge out.

Diddly bo
Diddly bo

A homemade Diddly Bow.

The first blues record, by Mamie Smith

“Crazy Blues” by Mamie Smith was the first Blues record. It was recorded on August 10, 1920.

Muddy Water's concert contract rider

We love concert contract riders. Here’s one of Muddy Waters’.

The Rolling Stones were greatly influenced by the Blues

The Rolling Stones were greatly influenced by the Blues, their first record covered a Willy Dixon song that was originally performed by Muddy Waters.

Eric Clapton was greatly influenced by the Blues

As was Eric Clapton. Here his band Cream covered Robert Johnson.

Bob Dylan was greatly influenced by the Blues

And Bob Dylan…

And the list goes on!

…and the list goes on.

(click here to continue along on the Mississippi Blues Trail!)

Bonus Time: The marker for WROX Radio in Clarksdale Mississippi.

The Marker for WROX Radio on the Mississippi Blues Trail

(click here to see our full story on the Mississippi Blues Trail!)

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

YOUR TURN: Are you a blues fan? Did you learn anything new? Is this a roadtrip you’d consider taking?


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