What led to Bessie Smith being crowned the Empress of the Blues? Why did Robert Johnson become a legend while barely leaving a trace? How did blueswomen influence the birth of rock, long before they were recognized? Many answers are offered here, along with a vibrant narrative that provides a different, unbiased perspective, written with the intensity of a true devotee of this music. On this fascinating round trip, we'll travel the paths that lead from the Mississippi Delta to London's Olympic Studios, or from Chicago's Checkerboard Lounge to the Royal Albert Hall. Replete with stories, rarities, and legends, these pages accompany the reader on the journey of the soul of 20th-century blues. Mariano Muniesa, a leading music journalist, passionately maintains that this genre is the mother of all music. From the Rolling Stones to ZZ Top, by way of Cream, Led Zeppelin, and Johnny Winter, it is the lifeblood that nourishes the tree of rock. All this without forgetting to do justice to the women of the blues, whose voices have been as powerful as they have been silenced. A fiery journey from its earliest origins to its influence in the present, with historical, social, and political context. Come in and read… or better yet, come in and feel. Because this isn't just heard: it's drunk, sweated, bled, felt, breathed. Open these pages and see for yourself. “From cotton to Chicago came muddy waters to become rolling stones in England. In Spain, that wave arrived in the form of rock and roll. Nobody could stop it. That, for me, is the blues: an art form that toppled racial segregation throughout the world and inspired thousands of young people to make a pact with the devil at crossroads and achieve freedom. Robert Johnson awaits you, but first you must experience all the magic. Take inspiration from the great Mariano Muniesa.” Jorge Salán, guitarist for Mägo de Oz and The Majestic Jaywalkers.