Elmore James

Elmore James, the King of the Slide Guitar, transformed Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom" into the most covered blues song of all time, recording it with an electrified, buzzing slide tone in 1951 that became his signature. His track "The Sky Is Crying" remains a staple with over 100 recorded versions by artists including Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones. James's commercial impact was 30% more immediate than #8 John Lee Hooker, as his 1952 single hit #1 on the R&B charts—five years before Hooker's first major hit. His early death at age 45 cut short a legacy that directly influenced Jimi Hendrix, yet his recorded output of over 200 sides rivals any Delta artist in influence.