Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters electrified Delta blues in Chicago, creating a direct sonic template for rock and roll. His 1950 single "Rollin' Stone" inspired the Rolling Stones' name, and his Chess Records run through the 1950s produced a string of Top 10 R&B hits, including "Hoochie Coochie Man" (1954) and "Mannish Boy" (1955). His influence on the British Invasion runs deep: Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" draws heavily on his "You Need Love," and Cream covered "Rollin' and Tumblin'" on their 1966 debut. His live album "Muddy 'Mississippi' Waters Live" (1979) won a Grammy, proving his sound remained vital across four decades.