Some years back there was an African singer who if my memory is correct was Ali Faka Toure ??? and people were pointing out the similarity of his music to the blues of John Lee Hooker. Not surprising as "it was later disclosed that he had listened to Hooker recordings. I believe it was a "researcher" or possibly a record company PR man that came up with the theory that the music was the roots of the blues.

I am with String Singer's last line here.