Biography
Buddy Guy, born George Guy on July 30, 1936, in Lettsworth, Louisiana, is a towering figure in the history of blues music. Growing up in a sharecropper’s family, he built his first makeshift guitar at age seven and taught himself to play by emulating blues artists he heard on the radio, such as John Lee Hooker. As a teenager, Guy began performing in Baton Rouge clubs, where his intense guitar style and passionate vocals quickly set him apart. After moving to Chicago in 1957, he was discovered by Muddy Waters, who helped him find work and introduced him to the city’s vibrant blues scene. Guy soon became a sought-after session musician at Chess Records, playing alongside legends like Howlin’ Wolf and Little Walter, and began recording his own material, including hits like 'Leave My Girl Alone' and 'Stone Crazy.'
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Guy’s innovative electric guitar work and flamboyant stage presence helped define the Chicago blues sound, bridging traditional blues with a modern, sometimes avant-garde style. He frequently collaborated with harmonica player Junior Wells and influenced a generation of rock guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Despite a dip in popularity during the rise of rock music, Guy’s career experienced a resurgence in the 1990s, earning him multiple Grammy Awards and international acclaim. He has released over 20 studio and live albums and remains an active performer and recording artist well into his 80s. Guy’s legacy is cemented by his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, and numerous honors, including the National Medal of Arts and Kennedy Center Honors.
Fun Facts
- Buddy Guy built his first guitar at age seven using two strings, a piece of wood, and his mother’s hairpins.
- He owned and operated two iconic Chicago blues clubs: the Checkerboard Lounge (1972–1985) and Buddy Guy’s Legends (since 1989).
- Guy’s flamboyant stage antics—such as playing guitar with his teeth or behind his back—were inspired by Eddie 'Guitar Slim' Jones and later influenced Jimi Hendrix.
- He published an autobiography, 'When I Left Home: My Story,' in 2012, co-written with David Ritz.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Muddy Waters - Discovered Guy in Chicago, helped him find work and introduced him to the Chicago blues scene. (Session work at Chess Records, live performances) [Late 1950s–1960s]
- John Lee Hooker - Early stylistic influence; Guy taught himself guitar by trying to reproduce Hooker's sounds. (Inspired Guy's early playing style) [1940s–1950s]
- B.B. King - Major musical inspiration and idol; Guy aspired to play like King. (Inspired Guy’s lead guitar style) [1950s onward]
- Eddie 'Guitar Slim' Jones - Influenced Guy's flamboyant stage presence. (Inspired Guy’s performance style) [1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Junior Wells - Frequent collaborator; recorded and toured together extensively. (Albums such as 'Hoodoo Man Blues', live performances) [1960s–1990s]
- Howlin’ Wolf - Session work at Chess Records; played guitar on Wolf's recordings. (Session recordings at Chess Records) [Late 1950s–1960s]
- Little Walter - Session work at Chess Records; played guitar on Walter's recordings. (Session recordings at Chess Records) [Late 1950s–1960s]
- Willie Dixon - Met and worked with Dixon in Chicago blues scene. (Session and live performances) [Late 1950s–1960s]
Artists Influenced
- Eric Clapton - Cited Guy as a primary influence on his guitar playing and blues approach. (Clapton’s blues albums and live tributes) [1960s onward]
- Jimi Hendrix - Inspired Hendrix’s guitar techniques and showmanship. (Hendrix’s live performances and recordings) [1960s]
- Stevie Ray Vaughan - Influenced Vaughan’s blues guitar style and tone. (Vaughan’s studio albums and live shows) [1980s]
- Jimmy Page - Guy’s playing shaped Page’s approach to blues-rock guitar. (Led Zeppelin’s blues-influenced tracks) [1970s]
- John Mayer - Cited Guy as a key influence on his blues guitar work. (Mayer’s blues-oriented albums) [2000s onward]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Damn Right, I've Got The Blues | 1991 | Album |
| Bring 'Em In | 2005-09-01 | Album |
| Feels Like Rain | 1993-03-01 | Album |
| I Was Walking Through The Woods (Expanded Edition) | 1970-01-01 | Album |
| Born To Play Guitar | 2015-07-31 | Album |
| The Blues Is Alive And Well | 2018-06-15 | Album |
| A Man And The Blues | 1968 | Album |
| Ain't Done With The Blues | 2025-07-30 | Album |
| Rhythm & Blues | 2013-07-29 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Feels Like Rain (feat. Bonnie Raitt) (Feels Like Rain)
- Stone Crazy (I Was Walking Through The Woods (Expanded Edition))
- Damn Right, I've Got the Blues (Damn Right, I've Got The Blues)
- Ain't No Sunshine (Bring 'Em In)
- Mustang Sally (feat. Jeff Beck) (Damn Right, I've Got The Blues)
- Six Strings Down (The Essential Jimmie Vaughan)
- What Kind Of Woman Is This? (Bring 'Em In)
- Flesh & Bone (Dedicated to B.B. King) (with Van Morrison) (Born To Play Guitar)
- Whiskey, Beer & Wine (Born To Play Guitar)
- How Blues Is That (feat. Joe Walsh)
External Links
Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #blues, #blues-rock
References
Heard on WWOZ
Buddy Guy has been played 29 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.