One for the ladies, and a favorite of mine (since you didn't specify "guitar based" - or did you? - anyway.... ) Etta James - Etta James Rocks the House

My journey to the blues started with SRV which led to Albert King, and BB King. A little movie called "Crossroads" held my interest for a minute or two - Karate Kid re-written as head-cuttin' bluesman, but was very dissillusioned when I found out Ralph Macchio didn't play all his own licks

Then someone gave me a great Chess Records compilation that I loved, which led to Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf etc. The interesting thing about the journey is once I heard the "originals" I started to recognize their influence in other artists i.e. Clapton, Page, Billy Gibbons, more SRV, Jeff Healy and on and on it goes.

I must admit to being very fond of the Chess era artists and the "Chicago Blues" style - if you want to call it that.