I found the blues the same way that Neil did. At about thirteen years of age I heard Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Johnny Winter and a few others through a friend's older brother. I was originally drawn to Johnny for his rock stuff, but then started to pay attention to his electric blues, and finally started noticing his acoustic slide stuff. Johnny did some wonderful originals (if there really is such a thing in the blues post 1935), but I began to notice that a lot of the stuff that I really liked was written by a guy named Robert Johnson. I then was given a Robert Johnson album for Christmas and realized that EVERY song on the Album had been covered by 60's rock bands. I expanded my search and have heard Son House, Bukka White, Charlie Patton, Blind Willie McTell, Tampa Red, Blind Willie Johnson and some others. I now find that this is the music I prefer, just pure, unadulterated music with loads of passion. I like many diferrent forms of music, but it must have feel or I'm not interested.

Interestingly enough, I rarely listen to Clapton or page any more, but I still listen to Johnny as he returned his focus to the blues and continues to have the true feel of the music. I recently discovered Taj Mahal and find he stays true to the form as well.