British rhythm and blues British rhythm and blues British rhythm and blues (or R&B) was a musical movement that developed in the United Kingdom between the late 1950s and the early 1960s, and reached a peak in the mid-1960s. It overlapped with, but was distinct from, the broader British beat and more purist British blues scenes, attempting to emulate the music of African American blues and rock and roll pioneers, such as Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. It often placed greater emphasis on guitars and was often played with greater energy. The origins of the movement were in the
A Shot of Rhythm and Blues A Shot of Rhythm and Blues "A Shot of Rhythm and Blues" is a song written by Terry Thompson and first recorded by US soul singer Arthur Alexander. It was originally released in the United States in 1961 and in the United Kingdom the following year, as the B-side of "You Better Move On". As well as having "Rhythm and Blues" in the title, the song is itself an R&B number. Featuring only blues chords, it begins as an apparent 12-bar blues, but then diverges from that standard structure into a more distinctive composition. Johnny Kidd & the Pirates released