All musicians are influenced by other musicians, both their contemporaries and the ones who came before them. Someone in their past caused them to want to pick up a guitar or other instrument or to raise their voice in song. Someone made them say, "I want to play like that." For the blues, some of those musicians were the ones who started it all back in the '20s and '30s and some came along in more recent times. Some are still performing today. Regardless, they have all helped spawn the vibrant blues scene we enjoy now.
BB King
For many people, BB King personifies the blues. Rolling Stone magazine listed him as #3 on their list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." For over 60 years, he has been performing and recording and his style has influenced generations of blues musicians who have come after him. His is one of the most identifiable guitar styles in the world. His music can be heard in both blues clubs and the blues radio stations.
Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy is probably the greatest proponent of Chicago blues still living today. He was once the house guitarist at Chess Records and played with Muddy Waters. He partnered with harmonica great Junior Wells. His playing has caused many young children and teenagers to be interested in music. Known for his showmanship as well as his musical skill, Guy is still entertaining and influencing audiences today.
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson was one of the first blues musicians to achieve notoriety, aided not only by his skill as a singer, musician, songwriter and performer, but by the legend which attached to him, that he sold his soul to the Devil at the crossroads in order to gain his extraordinary abilities. Dying in 1938 at only 27 years of age, Johnson indeed had an impact as big as any.
Bessie Smith
While there were other female blues musicians before Bessie Smith she is the one who is most often mentioned in books about the history of the blues and opened many doors for other female musicians who came after her. She was "The Empress of the Blues" and the most popular blues singer of the '20s and '30s. Her strong voice and style set the standard for jazz and blues singers of her day and continue to influence musicians today.