Final answer:
The Mississippi Delta Blues greatly influenced the development of rock music, with artists like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley merging various influences to create what became known as rock and roll.
Step-by-step explanation:
The style of blues that had the most direct influence on the development of rock music came from the Mississippi Delta and was called Delta Blues. This deeply emotive style, characterized by the use of slide guitar, strong rhythms, and soulful vocals, laid the foundation for the rise of rock and roll. Artists from the Mid-South, such as Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, were significantly shaped by a blend of musical influences from their regions, which included the Delta Blues. Berry, from St. Louis, reversed the pattern of influence by creating a blues-based rock and roll from a variety of musical backgrounds, like western swing. Presley, born in the heart of the Mississippi Delta and raised in Tennessee, absorbed and hybridized blues with other genres like country and rhythm and blues, creating a unique style that propelled him to fame and helped define the rock and roll genre. Over time, the cross-pollination of genres such as gospel, blues, country, jazz, and R&B in areas like Memphis, with its rich musical tapestry, culminated in the new and exciting sound of rock and roll. This genre was characterized by its heavy rhythm, simple lyrics, and captivating melodies, which struck a chord with teenagers across the nation.