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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Janis Joplin

For Students 9th - 10th
Explores comprehensive biographical details on superstar blues and soul musician, Janis Joplin, a 1995 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, recommended reading list, and essential songs.
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Gertrude "Ma" Rainey

For Students 9th - 10th
Known as the Mother of Blues, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey performed in a traveling minstrel show for over twenty years before recording over 100 songs for Paramount records. Because of her legacy as a blues singer, she has been inducted into...
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Ray Charles (1930 2004)

For Students 9th - 10th
Brush up on the life of legendary soul musician, Ray Charles, who was declared legally blind at age seven and because of this wore dark glasses that would become his trademark. The song most associated with him, "Georgia on My Mind",...
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Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the life and historical contributions of renown jazz vocalist and Pennsylvania native, Billie Holiday in this concise biography.
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Handout
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Willie Dixon

For Students 9th - 10th
Presents comprehensive biographical details on "the father of modern Chicago blues" Willie Dixon, a 1994 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, essential songs, and recommended reading list.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: b.b. King

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides complete biographical details on the "King of the Blues", musician B.B. King, a 1987 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events, essential songs, and recommended reading list.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical details on jazz singer Billie Holiday, a 2000 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key life events, essential songs list, and recommended reading.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Bonnie Raitt

For Students 9th - 10th
Covers biographical details on Grammy winning blues singer Bonnie Raitt, a 2000 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Etta James

For Students 9th - 10th
Etta James has been called "the greatest of all modern blues singers". Here you can read an account of her life story. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Howlin' Wolf

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers excellent biographical details on blues musician Howlin' Wolf, a 1991 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Ray Charles

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of Ray Charles. Includes a timeline of his life and a list of his biggest hits.
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Website
Other

The Unofficial Billie Holiday Website

For Students 9th - 10th
Even though it is unauthorized, this is an exceptional site about jazz singer Billie Holiday. Included in this site is information about her life, her music and other resources leading to this jazz legend.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Ray Charles

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS presents a biography of the "Father of soul," Ray Charles. He was an internationally famed musician, combining jazz, country, gospel, soul, and R&B in a way that was truly unique.
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Website
Other

Koko Taylor Talks About Her Subjects

For Students 9th - 10th
Article and interview first published in Clockwork Review about Koko Taylor's, "Queen of the Blues", career.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Ma Rainey

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers interesting biographical details on "Mother of the Blues", Ma Rainey, a 1990 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: B. B. King

For Students 9th - 10th
A biographical sketch of the King of the Blues, B.B. King.
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Handout
Danuta Bois

Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Billie Holiday

For Students 3rd - 8th
This is a very brief encyclopedia article on the life and music of Billie Holiday (1915-1959).