Blues to Rock Crossover Covers

[Magic]

The history of blues goes way back in time. Many of today's rock artists take inspiration from the blues and many of these artists record cover versions of the old blues. There are many blues songs which these artists have transformed into popular rock songs. Songs that barely resemble the original.


Lets see how many transformative crossover blues covers we can come up with.


Eric Clapton - Crossroads




A crossover cover of

Robert Johnson - Cross Road Blues

 

[Magic]

Big Joe Williams - Baby Please Don't Go

Crossed over to:

AC/DC - Baby Please Don't Go

Aerosmith - Baby Please Dont Go

 

[Magic]

Bo Diddley - Who Do You Love




Crossed over to:

George Thorogood - Who Do You Love

 

[Lynch]

George might be the best guy ever to do that "Bo Diddley" sound. His rendition of Who Do You Love is awesome!

 

[Sox]

Traveling Riverside Blues, Zep paid homage to the delta wizard.

Led Zeppelin

Robert Johnson

 

[Musikwala]

Traveling Riverside Blues is fantastic!

I'm talking about the Led Zep version. Must give the original a listen.

I'm sure there are several examples with Zeppelin themselves! How about I Can't Quit You Baby? Or... In My Time Of Dying?

 

[Black Dahlia]

I'm only posting the original, and the best-known cover of this one.

Some of the other rock artists that have done it are Eric Clapton (1975), George Thorogood (1977), and The Allman Brothers Band played it at Duane Allman's funeral.

"The Sky Is Crying" Elmo (Elmore) James and his Broomdusters
recorded:1959
released: 1960

"The Sky Is Crying" Stevie Ray Vaughan
recorded: 1985
released: 1991

 

[Big Ears]

I always associate Catfish blues with Little Walter, who I never cared for, but Jimi Hendrix turned the song on its head.

 

[Big Ears]

I'm not sure who recorded the original, but Rory Gallagher made Bullfrog Blues his own:

 

[gguerra]

"I Just Want to Make Love to You"

Live version by Foghat


Original by Muddy Waters