This Is How I Found Out I’m a Fan of the Blues.

Seasick Steve once shared a deeply touching story about his introduction to the blues: “In my father’s garage, there was a man working for him. He taught me how to play music on the guitar. Later, I discovered it was the blues, and that man’s name was K. C. Douglas.“ The simplicity of this tale resonates because it’s a reminder of how profound musical awakenings often come from unexpected, humble sources.

I can absolutely relate to Steve’s discovery of the blues. For me, it wasn’t until later in life that I found myself reflecting on the essence of some of my favorite rock songs. I began digging into what made these tracks so captivating, only to realize that many of them were rooted in the blues.

Take Deep Purple, for instance—one of those bands that hooked me early. Certain tracks really stood out:

• “Lazy” from Machine Head
• “What’s Goin’ On Here” from Burn
• “Place in the Line” from Who Do You Think We Are
• “Mitsy Dupree” from The House of Blue Light

And then there was Led Zeppelin, whose take on the blues had an unmistakable intensity:

• “I Can’t Quit You Baby” from Led Zeppelin I
• “Bring It On Home” from Led Zeppelin II
• “Since I’ve Been Lovin’ You” and “Gallows Pole” from Led Zeppelin III
• “Black Dog” and “When the Levee Breaks” from Led Zeppelin IV

As I immersed myself in these songs, I began to notice a common thread: the structure, phrasing, and soul of the blues was woven throughout. I started exploring blues music theory, and that’s when it hit me—so many of the songs I loved were built on the 12-bar blues progression or had some blues-inspired twist to them.

This discovery sparked a new phase in my musical journey. I soon found myself diving into the very origins of the blues. My curiosity led me to icons like Robert Johnson, whose haunting track, “Me and the Devil,” introduced me to a whole new depth of raw emotion and storytelling in music. Johnson’s work, along with so many other blues pioneers, opened up a world of musical richness and history that I hadn’t fully appreciated before. It was as if I’d unlocked a door to an entire landscape of sound, one that connected my favorite rock bands back to the deep roots of American blues.

In essence, my journey into the blues was just beginning, and it continues to inspire me every time I pick up a guitar or listen to music with new ears.

So, what about you? Do you have a story like this—a moment when music took on a deeper meaning for you? I’d love to hear it.