Final answer:
Muddy Waters switched to electric guitar in the late 1940s to be heard over the noisy crowds in clubs, bringing a new, amplified sound to blues music. His use of electric guitar was a key factor in the development of the Chicago blues style and rock and roll music.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Muddy Waters went electric, it marked a significant shift in the blues genre, which traditionally relied on acoustic instruments. This transition is considered to have happened in the late 1940s, particularly with his 1948 hit song “I Can’t Be Satisfied.” The use of the electric guitar by Waters allowed for a more amplified and gritty sound that became influential in the development of the Chicago blues style. As the popularity of rock and roll grew in the 1950s, driven by a combination of electric instruments with gospel, blues, country, jazz, and R&B, Muddy Waters’ electric blues seamlessly contributed to the burgeoning genre that captivated audiences.
Muddy Waters switched to electric guitar mainly because of the louder sound it produced, which allowed him to be heard above the noise of the rowdy clubs where he performed. His decision to go electric profoundly changed blues music and paved the way for rock and roll. The use of electricity changed many aspects of life, from work in factories to street lighting, and in music, the introduction of electric instruments fundamentally altered the soundscape of the time.