"The King of the Slide Guitar", Elmore James tinkered with electronics in his brother's shop to create his raw amplified sound. He hit in '52 with "Dust My Broom" (from his first leader session) and "The Sky Is Crying" is oft-covered. With his wicked slide, "violent" sound and soulful vocal he was a major influence on both subsequent bluesmen and British & US rockers alike (especially Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers). We give a nod to Elmore on his birthday.
Check out "Dust My Broom":