How Chicago can be connected to the Blues, is obvious. But, it was never certain to be so. The inevitability began when Southerners emigrated North. Since post- World War I times, the early migrators repeatedly sent word to their Southern friends, family members, etc. that Chicago was indeed a good place to establish new roots.
From Southern plantations and farms, people went to Chicago and got jobs in factories. Salaries were much higher in Chicago. Life was more hectic. Blacks were drawn to the promise of a better life and with them came the Blues. From pre-war times to post-war eras, the Blues emerged in Chicago.
Modern conveniences were everywhere in the North and Chicago was no exception. Acoustic playing gave way to electronic sounds. The Blues would never be the same. Weird sounds now came from the electric boxes.
Pianos picked up the trend too, but could not sustain the newfound energy. Although pianos would remain on the scene, the ivories would surrender as a major Blues tool. Another instrument that emerged was the harmonica. And, it was the harmonica that would help launch the career of an unknown Marion Jacobs of Louisiana. Jacobs would later become the great Little Walter.
Other cities became favorites too. Detroit was one of them. But Chicago stayed at the top of the list. Several Blues artists maintained their roots in the Windy City. They stayed. Electrified Blues, whether good or bad, was firmly enthrenched in "Blueslore".
One of the unique attributes to come out of the Blues emergence in Chicago, was Chess Records. The Polish Chess brothers started recording Blues artists, especially black musicians in Chicago. The Chess brothers were used to blacks in general as they were the first people they were exposed to in America. Though Chess Records is now gone, the site still remains. It's now the Willie Dixon Blues Heaven Foundation.