Also American
Struggle & ResistanceAchievement & Excellence

July 1942

Zoom out
Achievement · music
T-Bone Walker records 'Mean Old World' — pioneering electric blues

T-Bone Walker recorded 'Mean Old World' in Hollywood on July 20, 1942, later released on Capitol Records. Described as 'the first important blues recording on electric guitar,' Walker's sophisticated single-string soloing and jazz-inflected chording established the template for electric blues guitar that directly influenced B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and generations of rock and blues guitarists.

Events

  1. July 20, 1942
    T-Bone Walker records 'Mean Old World' — pioneering electric blues

    T-Bone Walker recorded 'Mean Old World' in Hollywood on July 20, 1942, later released on Capitol Records. Described as 'the first important blues recording on electric guitar,' Walker's sophisticated single-string soloing and jazz-inflected chording established the template for electric blues guitar that directly influenced B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and generations of rock and blues guitarists.

  2. July 20, 1942
    T-Bone Walker records 'Mean Old World' — first great electric blues

    T-Bone Walker recorded 'Mean Old World' in Hollywood on July 20, 1942, later released on Capitol Records. Described as 'the first important blues recording on electric guitar,' Walker's sophisticated single-string soloing and jazz-inflected chording established the template for electric blues guitar that directly influenced B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and generations of rock and blues guitarists.