Invariably when someone talks about blues influences, the name Buddy Guy comes up.
Heard tell, big names like Clapton, Vaughn, and Hendrix all owe a tip of the hat to this great Louisiana-born guitarist.
Guy maybe the last to claim his fame as one of the great surviving bluesmen of our time. He has not forgotten where he came from and the people who made his longevity possible, and it shows in his attitude and his performances.
In a recent interview with Guitar Center, Buddy complained about the distance fame has put between himself and the mass of blues devotees—financially, and geographically.
“I got offered to play in Dallas not too long ago and the guy told me, ‘The tickets are $100.’ I said, ‘I don’t feel comfortable because my fans shouldn’t pay $100.’ The guy called back and said, ‘Listen, your fans will pay $250 to hear you play a club where the blues used to be played,’” Guy said. “[But] People come up and say ‘I don’t get close to you when you’re in the big ones (venues). I just want to see you where you can see the smoke. You know, smell the whiskey or something.’ That’s where the blues started.”
At 77, Guy still knows what it takes to give an audience its due. So many artists throughout the years have stolen his chops, that he has no qualms about being the student instead of the master. Not, however, when it comes to technology.
“Sometimes if I want to play a few licks from Hendrix, I may use the wah-wah pedal. B.B. King is one of my favorites. I like shaking the wrists.” Guy said. “You know, you’ll never see a blues guy with that little microphone around his ear, dancing and playing at the same time. When you see a bluesman, he’s ringing wet and giving you the best he’s got. I’ve been doing that all my life.”
With all the traveling musicians must endure, and the countless nights in one city to the next, keeping it fresh and finding inspiration must be a challenge. Guy remains humble about his talent an cites unlikely sources for his muse.
“Most of my stuff comes from being in restaurants if I’m out, or on a plane. I just hear conversations. I’m not a great writer, but I hear conversations,” Guy said. “I listen to a lot of other people play music. I pick up stuff like that. I’m sitting up here now and my radio is on the spiritual station.”
Ellnora is extremely fortunate to have this living legend playing the festival this year. For blues lovers all over the area, this is a rare treat from one of the greats.
You can see Buddy Guy tonight at the Tyron Festival Theatre over at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Show at 9 p.m., and in case you can’t make it, there will be free live vieo streaming in the Sonic Garden of the performance.