Moonshine, hunting with guns and dogs and driving fast were among the passions of a man whose slide playing is one of the most recognisable sounds in blues music.

Heavily influenced by Robert Johnson, with whom he may have played, in 1951 James took Johnson's version of I Believe I'll Dust My Broom, added volume and searing, violent slide playing and made it his calling card. Almost every electric slide player since acknowledges his influence.

Listen: Elmore James - Dust My Broom

Your votes:

"Last but not least, Elmore James was another blues master." (Thanks, Owen)

Next: Albert Collins