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Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy is the embodiment of Chicago blues. Apart from the fact that this guitarist, today considered one of the greatest in blues history, took part in the historical recordings of Muddy Waters and Howlin ‘Wolf for the legendary Chess Records label. Without Buddy Guy, there would be no Hendrix, Clapton, Page, or Richards. When asked about inspirations, all these rock classics point straight to a bluesman.
For most of his career, Buddy Guy was not welcome. Leonard Chess, head of the Chicago Chess Records label, openly admitted that playing the guitarist seems to him just “noise.” He has no idea how to use it as an artist solo.
So Buddy was forced to play extra full-time performers. You can hear it on Muddy’s recordings. He also plays Howlin ‘Wolf’s “Killing Floor” and “Kang Taylor” Wang Dang Doodle.
He appeared in Chess a bit by accident – he followed his hero, Muddy Waters. And he was already in Chicago at the time, where he gained some popularity thanks to the song “I Can’t Be Satisfied.” Before he came to Chess, he looked like a bluesman in the style of Robert Johnson – a vagabond traveling around the country, with a guitar, slung over his shoulder. Like from a movie. He took part in competitions, guitar duels, which he usually won. Thanks to which he gained not only the opinion of one of the best, as well as record contracts with Cobra Records and Delmark. But neither Muddy nor Cobra. In 1957, Guy moved to Chicago, leaving behind a family home in Lettsworth, Louisiana.