Blues America Part 2: Bright Lights, Big City – Full Documentary

Blues America Part 2: Bright Lights, Big City is the second half of a 2013 BBC documentary on the story of the blues. Focusing on how this music crossed borders from black to white and as it grew more popular, from the weak to the powerful.

After 1945, artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker rooted the blues firmly in the city, where it contributed to the musical desegregation of America by spawning rock’n’ roll. As the blues music conquered the world, arguments developed about what was the real authentic blues. Robert Johnson returned from the dead to sell more records than any other blues artist. By the 21st century, the blues not only retained the earthiness of its roots but was also being celebrated in the White House.

The film below features contributions from Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, Seasick Steve, Buddy Guy and more.