Reply #1: Yup. [View All]

[BrendaBrick]

The blues are really the origins for so many other genres which have spurred from that great, initial, musical *tap-root.* To be sure!

Raw music it was and still is, yet sadly, not many of these ground-breaking artists were given their rightful due, not only in pop-culture popularity, but also monetarily as more often than not, some were either sold for a grossly low amount of money (if any at all) and/or, were/are relegated under the blanket, non-copyright "traditional" category...to which they STILL receive no proceeds.

I think that Bonnie Raitt (spelling) has gone back to try and give back to some of these major artists the recognition and monetary rewards rightfully due them, many of which still live in poverty today (the ones that are still living, at least) to try and make it right.

Big, huge successful *Rock and Roll* bands such as the Stones, Zeppelin, Clapton etc (to name but just a few) owe their success to these American pioneers for laying the groundwork.

Though, much to his credit, Ray Charles has been the exception to this rule. Shrewd as he was, he insisted on owning ALL THE RIGHTS to his songs, which at the time, was unheard of...and set a very important precedent.