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Blues America

Mark Cooper

Mick Gold

Sam Bridger

Blues America: Episode 2: Bright Lights, Big City

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Episode 2

Episode 2: Bright Lights, Big City

Bright Lights, Big City

BBC Four - Blues America, Bright Lights, Big City

How blues conquered the world and the music moved from black to white audiences.

How artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf rooted the blues in the city, where it contributed to musical desegregation by spawning rock 'n' roll.

After 1945, artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker rooted the blues firmly in the city, where it contributed to the musical desegregation of America by spawning rock 'n' roll. As the blues conquered the world and the music moved from black to white audiences, arguments developed about what was the real authentic blues. Robert Johnson returned from the dead to sell more records than any other blues artist. By the 21st century, the blues not only retained the earthiness of its roots but was also being celebrated in the White House. With contributions from Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, Seasick Steve and Buddy Guy.

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The story of how the blues crossed borders from black to white and from weak to powerful.

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Blues America

Episode 2: Bright Lights, Big City

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