Blues music originated in the deep South in the late 1800s.
It was created by the African-American community during the darkest and most oppressive times in American history. This brilliant genre of music has influenced so many different genres of music—including modern rock and roll. It has risen to the forefront of the music industry and paved the way for many incredible artists along the way.
Today, we’ve found a great video from an underrated blues artist who shows the spirit of the genre perfectly!
Sam ‘Lightnin’ Hopkins might be one of the best blues artists of all time, and he proves it with this performance.
Hopkins was a country blues singer who was an exceptional guitarist and also periodically played the piano. He was ranked #71 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest guitar players of all time.
In this video, Hopkins shows off his fingerpicking style while casually sitting back and delivering a performance that will blow your mind.
Right before he begins playing, Hopkins says:
“The blues is something that the people can’t get rid of, yeah. And if you ever have the blues, remember what I tell you, you’ll always hear this in your heart.”
As soon as he starts playing the melody, you know you’re in for a treat.
Hopkins makes it look so easy by leaning back in his chair. He starts playing a tune that screams the blues—and when he begins singing, it sucks you right in.
The way he plays his complex riffs on his guitar is mesmerizing.
Everything about his style embodies what blues music is. His casual but powerful presence is what sets him apart from the rest.
Hopkins plays the standard 12-bar blues template with a “talking style” in his lyrics that are about the struggles of life and love.
Throughout the entire performance, Hopkins displays a masterful understanding of his instrument and oozes soul as he maneuvers his way through the song.
Originally from Centerville, Texas, Hopkins eventually made his way to Houston, where he settled in and made it his home.
When he passed away at age 69, The New York Times reported that he was one of the last original blues artists. He came up at the same time as other huge blues musicians like B.B. King, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.
His ability to spontaneously change the course of his songs is phenomenal, which is on full display in this performance.
Hopkins fell in love with music at the tender age of eight years old when he met gospel singer and songwriter “Blind Lemon” Jefferson. He got his big break in 1960 when he went up north to play at Carnegie Hall. Since then, he has influenced countless famous musicians with his extraordinary fingerpicking guitar style.
People on the internet went crazy for this incredible, laid back performance.
Millions of people have watched him sing the blues in this video alone.
This video has been viewed almost two million times on YouTube, with 29,000 liking it and thousands leaving comments.
Samuel John “Lightnin” Hopkins will certainly go down in history as one of the best blues artists of all time.
His skills on the guitar paired with his deep and passionate voice are both remarkable.
To see him put on this blues-clinic, watch the video below:
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