British rhythm and blues (or
R&B) was a musical movement that developed in the United Kingdom between the late 1950s and the early 1960s, and reached a peak in the mid-1960s. It overlapped with, but was distinct from, the broader
British beat and more purist
British blues scenes, attempting to emulate the music of African American blues and rock and roll pioneers, such as
Muddy Waters and
Howlin' Wolf,
Chuck Berry and
Bo Diddley. It often placed greater emphasis on guitars and was often played with greater energy.