Singers and musicians who grew up listening to the traditional electric blues of artists such as Muddy Waters , Bo Diddley , Jimmy Reed and Elmore James ; soul singers such as Sam Cooke , Ray Charles and Otis Redding ; and gospel music wanted to bridge their favorite music together .
Singers and musicians who grew up listening to the electric blues of Muddy Waters , Bo Diddley , Jimmy Reed , Elmore James etc. and soul singers such as Sam Cooke , Ray Charles and Otis Redding , and gospel music wanted to connect their favorite music . Artists .