Whatever word one chooses to place before the phrase "...of British blues" when discussing Alexis Korner--whether it's founder, godfather, granddaddy, minister, governor, etc.--the fact remains that Korner was instrumental in spreading American blues music throughout the U.K. He began playing in skiffle and R&B ensembles in the late 1940s, and by the early '60s he was an established and fluent blues guitarist. Korner is credited with turning on an endless list of British rockers to the style, and acting as something of an overseer of the scene. He continued to play in numerous blues- and rock-based ensembles with a host of musical heavyweights up to his death in 1984.