Blues Timeline: 1880-89
1880
- [Approx. Date]: Birth of Richard Rabbit Brown in or near New Orleans, Louisiana
1881
- Birth of "Blind" Simmie Dooley in Hartwell, Georgia
1883
1883 May
- 26: Birth of Mamie Smith in Cincinnati, Ohio
1883 September
- 12: Birth of Gus Cannon (a.k.a. Banjo Joe) in Red Banks, Mississippi
1884
1884 June
- 18: Birth of Sara Martin in Louisville, Kentucky
1885
- [Approx. Year]: Birth of Funny Paper Smith (real name: John T. Smith; aka "The Howling Wolf") in Texas
1886
1886 April
- 26: Birth of Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (real name: Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett) in Columbus, Georgia
1887
- [Uncertain Date]: Birth of Charley Patton (alt. spelling: Charlie Patton) in Edwards or in Bolton, Mississippi. See 1891 May.
1887 March
- 28 Birth of Cripple Clarence Lofton (real name: Clarence Lofton) in Kingsport, Tennessee
1887 August
- 11: Birth of Sam Collins (a.k.a. Cryin' Sam Collins) in Louisiana
1888
1888 January
- 01: Birth of Frank Stokes in Whitehaven, Tennessee
- 21: Birth of Lead Belly (real name: Huddie William Ledbetter; alt. spellings: Leadbelly, Ledbelly) in Mooringsport, Louisiana
1888 March
- 05: Birth of Peg Leg Howell (real name: Joshua Barnes Howell) in Eatonton, Georgia