“The Father of the Chicago Blues,” Muddy Waters, was actually born McKinley Morganfield in the heart of Mississippi. In the Deep South and the birthplace of the blues, Waters began his lifelong career singing and playing his guitar for small crowds at his juke joint. His first big break came when Alan Lomax visited the South from Chicago to record authentic blues artists in 1941.

By the 1950s, Waters had moved to Chicago and was recording with arguably the best blues band ever formed. The group consisted of Little Walter Jacobs on harmonica, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Elga Edmonds on drums, Otis Spann on piano and Waters on vocals and second guitar. With such hits as “Rollin’ Stone,” “Hoochie Coochie Man” and “Mannish Boy,” Muddy Waters made a tremendous impact on the blues scene and influenced many vastly different genres of music.

Throughout his career, Waters was recognized by the music community with awards and achievements. Before his death, he received six Grammy Awards and was inducted in the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. His music and legacy continue to be recognized to this date. More recently, four of his hits have been listed among the ‘500 Greatest Songs That Shaped Rock’ by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.