Elmore James

Elmore James, known as the King of the Slide Guitar, turned Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom" into one of the most covered songs in blues history, recording it with an electrified, buzzing slide tone in 1951 that became his signature. His track "The Sky Is Crying" also remains a staple, covered by artists including Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones. That 1951 recording of "Dust My Broom" reached #9 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1952, cementing James's reputation years after Robert Johnson first wrote the song. His early death at age 45 in 1963 cut short a legacy that directly influenced Jimi Hendrix, and his catalog of recordings remains a cornerstone of Chicago blues guitar.