Buddy Guy was actually born in Lettsworth Louisiana in 1936. He learned how to play guitar all on his own with a home-made two-string “diddley bow” guitar. He started playing with bands in Baton Rouge in the 1950s and learned how to play the blues from the likes of Muddy Waters.
Guy performed for several record labels early on, but has claimed in recent years that those early labels held him back from his performance style that would become his signature. He is known for electrifying, passionate and loud performances with blistering and dazzling guitar solos, something Chess Records considered “noisy.”
Guy eventually traveled to Europe where musicians such as Rod Stewart acted like his valet. He met other musicians such as Eric Clapton and other guitarists who were familiar with his work and considered him a major influence.
Buddy Guy’s Influence on Rock and Roll
Buddy Guy is an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and this is due to his signature style and influence which has guided many rock and roll guitar legends. One musician, in particular, was taken with Guy’s style and would even cancel shows to see Buddy play live - Jimi Hendrix.
Hendrix was known for playing his strings, for example, with just his right hand (the hand holding the neck of the guitar) something Guy was already famous for. Hendrix and Buddy hung out together during the 60s and Jimi would often leave his own shows to see Buddy play at a club, recording the shows so he could learn from them later.
Other musicians that have played with Guy and cited him, publicly, as major influences include Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, members of Rush, and Jimmy Page.
Buddy Guy’s Signature Style
Buddy Guy is known for his electrifying live performances. Despite approaching the age of 70, Guy is know for his passionate live shows. He plays long, loud and blistering guitar solos and often plays his guitar with things such as drum sticks and beer bottles and was doing so before other Rock and Roll guitarists made those kinds of things famous.
Guy is also known for wandering around his stage. He has even been known to walk around his Chicago blues club, Buddy Guy’s Legends, and wandering into rest rooms while still playing his solo. He has also, throughout his career, been known to jump off of amplifiers, play the guitar behind his own back, and playing whilst hanging from his ankles from rafters.
Buddy Guy’s Legends
Buddy Guy is also the owner of one of the most popular blues clubs in Chicago. Known as Buddy Guy’s Legends, it has become, in recent years, the pre-eminent Chicago Blues location. Guy himself is famous for showing up on a weekend and playing a set un-planned. It is also a location famous for finding up-and-coming talent and giving them a major showcase.
Guy often plays shows in mid-winter, when he wants to take a break from his relentless touring schedule. During the month of February, for example, he will play a show every Thursday through Sunday every week of that month. These performances easily sell out and have become famous Chicago musical celebrations.
Chicago’s Living Legend
Buddy Guy is still playing. Recently, his brother, Phil, passed away, which forced Guy to set aside touring for his new album. However, all indications are that he will be back touring soon.
It is not often a city gets to boast a living musical legend whose roots have influenced some of the most famous musicians alive and dead. Chicago is lucky to have Guy and any blues fan needs to make the pilgrimage to Chicago in order to see this man play. It’s a performance they are unlikely to forget.
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