10 Blues Rock Icons of the 1960s
The 1960s marked a launching point for blues rock, a genre that fused the raw emotion of the blues with the fire and energy of rock and roll. As the decade unfolded, a new generation of musicians emerged, reshaping the sound and pushing the boundaries of guitar-driven music. These ten artists didn’t just define blues rock in the 1960s, they helped lay the groundwork for its lasting influence.
Eric Clapton
Few names in blues rock history carry as much weight as Eric Clapton’s. His tenure with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1966 cemented his status as a guitar prodigy. But it was his work with Cream that truly revolutionized the genre. Alongside Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, Clapton helped create some of the most explosive blues-infused rock ever recorded. Songs like “Crossroads” and “Sunshine of Your Love” showcased his impeccable phrasing and ability to channel deep blues roots through an overdriven Marshall amp. Now in his 80s, Clapton remains an icon of blues rock.
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix took blues rock to the stratosphere. While deeply rooted in the blues, his approach was unlike anything heard before. His debut album, Are You Experienced, was a shockwave to the music world. His ability to manipulate feedback, distortion, and wah-wah pedals transformed what was possible on the electric guitar. Hendrix’s influence is immeasurable.
Peter Green
Fleetwood Mac’s early days were dominated by the soulful playing of Peter Green, a guitarist whose touch and tone could evoke pure emotion. Green’s compositions such as “Black Magic Woman” and “Oh Well” blended blues tradition with a progressive, ethereal quality. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Green favored restraint over flash, making every note count. His work on Then Play On remains some of the most expressive blues rock of the era, and his impact on guitarists ranging from Gary Moore to John Mayer is undeniable.
Mike Bloomfield
A major force in the American blues rock movement, Mike Bloomfield was instrumental in bringing electric blues to a wider audience. As the lead guitarist for The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, he delivered scorching solos on East-West. He later collaborated with Al Kooper and Stephen Stills on Super Session, an album that showcased his ability to fuse blues with improvisational rock. Bloomfield played with an authenticity that came from studying under Chicago blues legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.
Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin’s raw, uninhibited vocal style made her one of the most electrifying blues rock artists of the 1960s. Her work with Big Brother and the Holding Company, particularly on Cheap Thrills, showcased her ability to channel deep blues emotion into rock music. Tracks like “Piece of My Heart” and “Ball and Chain” displayed her fiery, soul-baring delivery, earning her a reputation as one of the most powerful singers of her time. Her impact on blues rock remains undeniable, influencing generations of artists who followed despite her passing at just 27 years old in 1970.
Jeff Beck
When Eric Clapton left The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck stepped in and took the band’s blues roots into uncharted territory. His time with the group mixed traditional blues elements with psychedelic flourishes. Beck’s approach was unconventional. He experimented with sustain, feedback, and tone in ways that made his playing instantly recognizable. Later, with the Jeff Beck Group, he fused blues, jazz, and rock, paving the way for future guitar heroes.
Rory Gallagher
While many of his peers hailed from England or America, Rory Gallagher emerged from Ireland with a ferocious, no-nonsense style. His band Taste made a strong impression with their debut album, but it was his later solo work that solidified his legacy. Gallagher’s slide guitar playing, gritty vocals, and relentless energy made him a powerhouse in blues rock. Though he never achieved the commercial success of some of his contemporaries, his influence can be heard in countless guitarists who followed.
Johnny Winter
Albinism, a Texas drawl, and blistering guitar technique made Johnny Winter an instantly recognizable figure in blues rock. His 1969 self-titled album featured a mix of original compositions and fiery blues covers, cementing him as a standout talent. Winter’s ability to play both electric and acoustic blues with equal prowess set him apart. Winter’s playing was always electrifying but he’s a guitarist that probably still deserves more recognition.
Paul Kossoff
As the guitarist for Free, Paul Kossoff had an uncanny ability to make his guitar sing with emotion. His expressive vibrato and economical phrasing made songs like “Walk In My Shadow” unforgettable. Unlike many blues rock players who leaned into flashy technicality, Kossoff’s strength lay in his ability to convey feeling with just a few perfectly chosen notes. Though his career was tragically short, his influence endures in the playing of many blues rockers.
Alvin Lee
Best known for his lightning-fast guitar work, Alvin Lee and his band Ten Years After became one of the standout acts of the late 1960s blues rock scene. His performance of “I’m Going Home” at Woodstock in 1969 is still one of the most electrifying live moments in rock history. While speed was his calling card, Lee was also capable of deep, soulful playing. He bridged the gap between traditional blues and the high-energy demands of rock audiences.
Regarding Mike Bloomfield … Elvin Bishop was the sole guitarist on “The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw”. Bloomfield had left the Butterfield Blues Band to form The Electric Flag with keyboardist Barry Goldberg.
And Barry Goldberg played with the seminal Blues-Rock Band Charlie Musselwhite, whose standout guitarist was Harvey Mandel (the master of sustain!).
In what world has Charlie Musselwhite ever seen a Blues- ROCK artist?
These artists are of THEIR GENRE, and the making of music today, of that generation I liked and appreciated their individual styles and commitment too what the and the bands they worked with.
John Mayall ???? How could he be left off of this list ???
Especially as so many later Blues-Rock Standouts started out with Mayall. The Blues Breakers have been an incubator for so many blues standouts.
Your list is more notable for who you don’t include! How do you define “Blues-Rock”? Jimi Hendrix was not Blues-Rock, he was the first of the Hard-Rockers to make it big. The Blues tends to be introspective, ironic, evocative of hardship. That you don’t have John Mayall at the top makes me wonder about your creds. And where are the Animals? Allman Brothers? In the 60’s the Rolling Stones were a Blues-Rock Band! Did you ever hear of Steve Miller? The late Keith Godchaux turned me on to the first Paul Butterfield Band (with Mike Bloomfield) when we were in High School, and a few years later I saw Charlie Musselwhite (with Harvey Mandel, the master of sustain!). Mayall, Butterfield, Musselwhite, Miller, Duane Allman led bands and along with the Animals, Yardbirds and the Rolling Stones, they defined Blues-Rock forever. I still have them in rotation, the music, lyrics, the attitude have stood the test of time. I admit to owning all your listed albums, but its been 40+ years since I listened to most of them. I have to add Magic Sam, one of the first Black Bluesman to fully embrace Blues-Rock style, I rediscovered him on an anthology some 20 years ago and he is definitely in my rotation, and in some ways I think he may be the best of the best.
Hendrix most famous piece, Voodoo Chile, is absolutely blues rock.
I like the list, but Guitar Shorty should be included. Hendrix was heavily influenced by his playing and stage presence.
You forgot Buddy Guy who performed in February ’65. in Manchester with his trio influenced the emergence of the super trio CREAM and they influenced the emergence of JH EXPERIENCE and others in that format.
Anyone following blues/rock knows Roy Buchanan belongs on this list
Savoy Brown with Chris Youlden on vocals.
I hesitate to call this list click bait as it doesn’t say the best or most influential, but it certainly encourages clicks. And yes, where is Mayall, Buchanan and Gallagher on the list?
Too many to list. If someone is thought to be forgotten then create your own list here.
Yes there was so many great bands as well as guitarist around in the 60s to many to name ..but seeing most of them when all they had was there music & sometimes there was only a handful of us watching within feet of our heroes…great days never ever to be repeated !! My nephew is now into the 60s music scene & he can’t believe I saw these all on the same bill the very first ever FESTIVAL !! JIMI HENDRIX, THE CREAM , PINK FLOYD, THE MOVE ,GENO WASHINGTON, ZOOT MONEY all for a QUID in a little Lincolnshire Town called SPALDING …GREAT LAZY CRAZY DAYS OF THE 60s ..
Yes there was so many great bands as well as guitarist around in the 60s to many to name ..but seeing most of them when all they had was there music & sometimes there was only a handful of us watching within feet of our heroes…great days never ever to be repeated !! My nephew is now into the 60s music scene & he can’t believe I saw these all on the same bill the very first ever FESTIVAL !! JIMI HENDRIX, THE CREAM , PINK FLOYD, THE MOVE ,GENO WASHINGTON, ZOOT MONEY all for a QUID in a little Lincolnshire Town called SPALDING …GREAT LAZY CRAZY DAYS OF THE 60s ..
That list could’ve easily been tripled. But yes, leaving John Mayall off the list is an egregious error.
Right on, Clyde! What do you other people want, the Top100?
Would B B King qualify?
I thought about B. B. King’s inclusion as well, for a good week or so, from the perspective of blues-rock, and I would have to state “No”, even though B. B. king is one of my favorite guitarists.
Admittedly, many consider B.B. King to indeed be “King of The Blues”, and I personally have many of his albums, but would not consider his recordings, for theoft part, to be Blues-Rock.
A few exceptions, which occurred after the 1960s would be (marginally) 1971’s “B. B. Kng In London”, which included contributions from Peter Green (of Fleetwood Mac), Alexis Korner (of Blues Incorporated, which influenced many 1950s and beyond U.K. day blues-rock musicians), Humble Pie members of the time, Stevie Winwoood (Traffic/Blind Faith/etc.), Gary Wright (Spooky Tooth and solo),amongst others.
The other consideration being Eric Clapton’s and B. B. King’s 2000 collaboration, ” Riding With The King”, which had more of a deeper blues’ inflection, as opposed to blues-rock.
A typo I noticed – I intended to state Alexis Korner’s work of the 1960s (not 1950s).
I’m not sure that Mike Bloomfield ever played any ‘blues rock’, but he did play some awesome blues with the likes of Al Kooper, Elvin Bishop, and countless others. Sadly he left us way too soon.
Actually having spent most of my formative years within a 20 minute subway ride of Fillmore East, I’m not sure ‘blues rock’ was a valid genre back then. You had your rock, and your blues, but they didn’t really mingle until much later.
Gary Duncan of Quicksilver was a big fan of Mike Bloomfield , you can hear it on Gold and Silver and other jams of QMS . Butterfield blues band were the early trail blazers of jam bands like the ABB as they came later
Savoy Brown. 66 to 24