The Blues, Episode 8: Union Jack Blues

Reporting locale: London, England

In the 1950s, first Big Bill Broonzy, then Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters performed in England, setting off a prolonged period of blues obsession by young British musicians.  The English blues scene, fathered by Chris Barber, Alexis Korner, and John Mayall, inspired young Brits like Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards to soak up every American blues record they could find.  From these upstarts came bands like the Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, the Animals, and the Rolling Stones.  Each group embodied the blues in its own special way, creating a British blues sound that quickly was exported to the U.S.  Key interviews with Mayall, Clapton, Robert Plant, Eric Burdon, Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac fame help unveil the early story of British blues.  Rare recordings made with legendary blues harp player Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds grace this episode.  John Mayall provides the in-studio musical conclusion.