Buddy Guy was born in Louisiana in 1936.  He was self-taught on the guitar, using a home made 2-string “diddley bow” guitar.  He was so naturally good that he started playing with bands in Baton Rouge in the 1950s and learned how to play the blues by the likes of Muddy Waters.

Early on, Guy began to record with such labels as Chess Records.  He would later claim that such labels actually held him back from playing his signature style which was passionate and electrifying, often with dazzling guitar solos.  His record labels thought he was just noisy.  Eventually he broke free from these restraints and came to be the performer that we know today- full of life.

Buddy Guy was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame particularly for his signature style, which influenced many musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and Rod Stewart.  Guy and Hendrix became friends and hung out together during the 60s.  Hendrix would even leave his own shows early so that he could go catch Guy performing at a club.  He would record his performances so he could study them and learn from them.

Although Buddy Guy is in his 70s, he still delivers high-energy shows.  He is known for wandering around stage during his shows.  He even will wander into the restroom doing a guitar solo and visit with guests.  He is known for playing his guitar with things such as drumsticks and beer bottles.  He would play the guitar behind his back, or even while tied up by his ankles in the rafters.

Buddy Guy owns a popular club in Chicago; Buddy Guy’s Legends.  He is known to still show up from time to time.  He loves to find and promote up and coming talent.

For over 25 years Chicago has been hosting it’s annual blues festival.  It’s an incredible scene with several stages set up throughout Grant Park.  The admission is free and every year thousands and thousands of blues lovers come together to celebrate this great genre.

The Chicago story came about some 90 years ago as the blacks from the South began moving to the more Northern cities in the early 1900s.  Chicago was a place of promise for them.  It gave them hope for more opportunity and a better life.  Much of what their music was based on.

Many musicians on their journey North stopped at Memphis and spent time there, which is why Memphis today is such an important part of the blues history.  In Chicago, though the players were starting to plug in their guitars, and the blues music became infused with an edgier, more electrified sound.  Roaring vocals and boogie-woogie style became popular across the city’s venues and the Chicago style began to take hold.

The recording industry also made the Chicago scene boom.  Chess Records, Vee-Jay and numerous other small labels were a huge force in this city.  Muddy Waters exemplified the Chicago sound of the 40s and 50s. It was aggressive and electric, and by the late 40s Chicago was a powerhouse for this electric blues.

The blues had it’s own economical and cultural draw.  Blues clubs abounded in the city such as the South Side’s Maxwell Street.  Tourists and locals alike who were huge supporters of the blues, would spend their money in the stores, and on liquor in the clubs.  They would frequent the hairdressers, and clothing stores.  This “heyday” cemented Chicago as the Blues capitol.

In the late 60s and 70s blues began to lose its popularity with black audiences.  Some believe this was due to the increasing popularity of disco, soul and R&B.  Yet the blues did begin to gain more attention from the white audience.  A new collection of clubs began to open on Chicago’s North side because of this interest.

Today, even though Chicago’s South side has drastically changed, the Chicago scene remains alive from the North side’s traditional blues to the south Side’s blues melded with soul.  Chicago’s Blues Fest helps keep this alive.