Few have a musical resume as impressive as that of Buddy Guy, one of the last great living Chicago blues guitarists. He’s influenced the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He’s played on recordings by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Little Walter. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. And on May 8th, the 75-year-old’s autobiography, When I Left Home: My Story, will be published by Da Capo Press. Co-written with David Ritz, the book is a must-read account of Guy’s life and career. Guy recently talked to Rolling Stone about penning his life story, the important advice he received from Muddy Waters and the current state of blues music.
Blues TV | Buddy Guy - Damn right I’ve got the blues ; Amazing performance from Buddy Guy at North Sea Jazz Festival - Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues!!!
Blues TV | Blues from The White House - “Five Long Years”, featuring Buddy Guy, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Gary Clark Jr., Booker T. Jones [21 February 2012]
Watch Red White and Blues : In Performance at The White House !
“In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues” will honor the musical form that sprang from the Mississippi Delta and flourished in the Westside of Chicago with deep roots in Africa and slavery. The performances will explore those roots and pay homage to the great figures of the Blues and the songs they made famous by tracing the influence of the Blues on modern American music from soul to rock’n’roll.
HOWLIN’ FOR HUBERT @ THE APOLLO THEATER NYC 24 FEBRUARY 2012
Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and More Celebrate Hubert Sumlin in New York
The “Howlin’ For Hubert’ concert took place at the legendary Apollo Theatre in New York. Hubert Sumlin, known for his years backing blues legend Howlin’ Wolf, died on December 4th at the age of 80.
Keith Richards, James Cotton & Eric Clapton - Photo Credits: Barry Fisch
The entire show, which featured all-stars including Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Jimmie Vaughan, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II and Elvis Costello – plus overlooked legends like Wolf’s former bandmates, harmonica player James Cotton, guitarist Jody Williams and saxophonist Eddie Shaw – was one for the history books. The event originated while Sumlin was still alive as a celebration to mark his 80th birthday. It stayed that way; Guest after guest recounted Sumlin’s unfaltering positivity and passion for his instrument. At one point, Toni Ann Mamary, Sumlin’s longtime manager and companion, tearfully recalled Sumlin tellling her, “I’m gonna be there. I don’t care if I play – I’m going to be there.” She added, “Can you feel him?”
The show was a benefit for the Jazz Foundation of America.
There were many highlights at Howlin for Hubert – a tribute to guitarist Hubert Sumlin, who played in Howlin’ Wolf’s band for decades and passed away on December 4th due to heart failure – but that was the peak. It was Richards’ first major musical appearance since the Rolling Stones last toured five years ago, and he showed little rust. After “Going Down Slow,” he sat down and played metallic 12-string slide while singing “Little Red Rooster,” and then strapped on a Gibson electric guitar to sing and trade licks with Clapton on “Spoonful.” “It’s good to be back,” Richards said, peering up to the balcony before breaking into a cackle. “Goddamn, it’s good to be back.”
There were 2 sets:
Set 1 Key to the Highway – EC, acoustic, accompanied by James Cotton (an old Chicago blues harmonica player) Eric Clapton leaves stage Followed by musicians from Big Head Todd, David Johansen, Billy Gibbons, and Warren Haynes to some terrific old Chicago blues guys.
Eric Clapton - Photo Credits: Barry Fisch
Set 2 Keb Mo, Doyle Bramhall II, Doyle Bramhall II with Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II with Derek Trucks & Susan Tdedski, Buddy Guy, Robert Randolph, Gary Clark Jr. -highlights were Doyle Bramhall II, Doyle Bramhall II with Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland & Buddy Guy) EC returns to the stage to accompany Gary Clark Jr.: Shake for Me – (Gary Clark Jr./ Eric Clapton / Steve Jordan / Willie Weeks) vocals by Gary, great rhythm playing by Eric Clapton and Eric Clapton trading licks with Gary Clark Jr.(Eric enjoys Gary’s playing) Little Baby – vocals by Eric Clapton (entire house band incl. Jim Keltner plus Gary) Forty-Four – vocals by Eric Clapton (entire house band incl. Jim Keltner plus Gary) Going Down Slow – vocals by Eric Clapton, highlight of EC playing, with some guest vocals by Keith Richards (probably unrehearsed and seemingly unanticipated by Eric Clapton) Eric Clapton leaves stage for Keith Richards Little Red Rooster – Keith Richards plays acoustic with James Cotton (a bit uneven, but best of Keith playing) Eric Clapton returns to stage Spoonful – Keith Richards and Eric Clapton plus James Cotton and band (one of the other highlights)
Encores – more than thirty musicians on stage: Wang Dang Doodle Smokestack Lightning
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Buddy Guy will release Living Proof on October 26th via Silvertone/Jive. Listen to the first single, “Stay Around a Little Longer” featuring B.B. King, here.
Buddy Guy & Ron Wood with Jonny Lang and friends @ Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010
