Some of the first guitarists to plug it in, turn it on, and crank it up were the blues guys, especially in Chicago. And that “crunchy” edge of distortion tone is still a must-have for a lot of blues performers.
I always thought Eric Clapton’s cover of “Hideaway” had a great guitar tone:
but that is mild stuff compared to Hound Dog Taylor’s fuzzed out guitar (I think that’s overdrive - not an effect):
