Episode 38

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Published on:

7th Feb 2026

Blues Moments in Time - February 7th: Black History, Beatlemania, and High-Voltage Blues

February 7th marks the moment the blues stepped into the historical spotlight, the global stage, and the electric future. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week, creating the first national space where the stories behind the blues could be recognized as essential American history.

Fast‑forward to 1964: the Beatles land at JFK, openly praising Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, forcing a segregated America to confront—and finally value—its own blues heritage.

The date also captures key musical turning points: Johnny Dodds’ 1929 Chicago recordings shifting from New Orleans improvisation to the hard, driving pulse of Chicago blues, and Little Richard’s 1956 “Long Tall Sally,” where pure R&B plugged straight into rock and roll.

We celebrate the 1934 births of Earl King and King Curtis—regional giants who shaped New Orleans R&B and Texas tenor sax—and remember the 1959 passing of Guitar Slim, the flamboyant, distortion‑driven pioneer who redefined what a blues guitar hero could be.

February 7th stands as a crossroads where history, fandom, and raw sonic power pushed the blues into new eras and new ears.

Hosted by: Kelvin Huggins

Presented by: The Blues Hotel Collective - your home for EVERYTHING BLUES.

Website: https://www.theblueshotel.com.au/

Keep the blues alive.

© 2026 The Blues Hotel Collective.

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About the Podcast

Blues Moments in Time...
The History That Shaped it All.
Blues Moments in Time takes you back to the crossroads where history happened. We're talking about those electric nights in Chicago studios, those dusty Delta afternoons, those chance encounters that changed everything.

This is where you'll hear about the day Muddy Waters plugged in and shook the world, the session where Robert Johnson laid down his legacy, the moment B.B. King named his guitar Lucille. These aren't just dates and facts—they're the living, breathing stories of how the blues became the blues.

Each moment is a snapshot: the artists, the circumstances, the magic that happened when talent met opportunity. Sometimes it's triumph, sometimes it's tragedy, but it's always real. Because the blues has always been about truth, and these moments tell that truth better than anything else.

Whether it's a legendary recording session, a groundbreaking performance, or a personal turning point that shaped an artist's sound, Blues Moments in Time brings you there. You'll feel the room, hear the backstory, and understand why that particular moment still matters today.

This is blues history you can feel—one moment at a time.

Blues Moments in Time is a production of The Blues Hotel Collective
© 2026 The Blues Hotel Collective - All rights reserved.
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About your host

Profile picture for Kelvin Huggins

Kelvin Huggins

The Blues Hotel Collective is an independent blues media platform dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating blues culture. While we are based in Perth, Western Australia, our "hotel" is a metaphorical space—a welcoming hub where artists, fans, and historians can "check in" to connect, share stories, and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the blues. Our mission is simple: to give the blues a bigger voice – through authentic storytelling, in-depth interviews, and passionate music discovery.