Well, if you're looking not only for names, but a method in which to cover this territory, I would start with Robert Johnson. There is a 2-CD set available of his complete recordings. Blues as we know it today can be said to have started with him. (Not true, of course. Things such as these always evolve in an organic fashion, involving numerous people in various places, often at the same time. But, for simplicity's sake, I can be comfortable with the generalization).
Accompany your listening with some reading, and find out about those who picked up where Robert left off. You'll no doubt then come across all the seminal Blues figures of the 20th century. Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, Elmore James, Junior Wells, Lowell Fulson, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, and on into the era of Rock and Roll, which owes its start to those pioneers just mentioned.
Enjoy!
Accompany your listening with some reading, and find out about those who picked up where Robert left off. You'll no doubt then come across all the seminal Blues figures of the 20th century. Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, Elmore James, Junior Wells, Lowell Fulson, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, and on into the era of Rock and Roll, which owes its start to those pioneers just mentioned.
Enjoy!