The Buddy Guy of 1991’s “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues” just got his whole documentary! The Emmy winning documentary show “American Masters” is going to premiere a whole new episode on Buddy Guy, the Chicago blues player. Since the beginning of his career, he has influenced artists like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Gary Clark Jr., and John Mayer. The musician turns 85 today and is preparing to go on the road for a national tour that takes him into April 2022.
Being the icon he is, he still pays his respects to the artists he learned from; Arthur Crudup, Son House, Fred McDowell, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter. He still looks up to them as they never played music for money but because they wanted to do it out of passion. Talking about getting back on the road, he said that he is going to do blues till he can’t do it anymore.
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How Did Buddy Start His Career?
Buddy didn’t even have the guitar, to begin with. He tried to make his own instrument using rubber bands as strings and wire strands from the window screens in the family home. It wasn’t until his father saw him trying to play an artist’s guitar and got him the original instrument as a Christmas gift. And since that day, he never looked back and went on to keep the blues music alive.
The genre of Blues just began, and there was a major lack of audience. So even perfecting his guitar skills, it was a hard time for Buddy. Being a guitarist, Buddy always pushed himself to find his own style. He found inspiration in different music he heard like gospel, country, etc. He calls his style a Gumbo. While cooking gumbo in Louisiana, you can put whatever meet you want along with other ingredients. He does the same with his music. Making it more pleasing.
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The Rise Of Blues
As the 1960s begin, the music industry took a turn. Rolling Stone’s guitarist Keith Richards and singer Mick Jagger brought a much-needed change in the music scene. After Mick Jagger asking to get Muddy Waters on the TV variety show “Shindig!, the Blues scene took over. As time went on playing the music, Buddy became one of the most amazing musicians at the Chicago blues sound.
In an interview, Buddy opened up about his career. When he went out to play for the first time, he saw Muddy Waters, along with other musicians on the stage playing. He knew that even though he won’t be able to play like them in the beginning, he will definitely be able to get more attention than them by jumping on the stage. And it did as he was playing the guitar behind his back, jumping around on stage, and picking with his teeth. He got the attention of none other than Jimi Hendrix. They got together in the studio. Did a jam session together and ended up reinventing the sound of the electric guitar. Jimi also drew Buddy’s showmanship.
What Is The Net Worth Of Buddy Guy?
Estimating the net worth of Buddy Guy, it falls around $2.5 million. He has also entered the list of highest-paid guitarists all over the world. Other than his music career, he has invested in stocks and substantial property holdings. Along with that, he also gets brand endorsement deals. Along with that, he owns the Fat Guy Burger chain in Washington and launched a vodka brand named Pure Wonderguy – US. He has invested in the Lettsworth Angels football team. He also has a fashion line under his name called Buddy Guy Seduction.
Buddy saw his personal passion becoming the main influence for the biggest rock bands. But he doesn’t wanna change. He wants to be one of those who are keeping the Blues music alive. He says that not enough places are playing the music and definitely not enough people are listening to the Blues. Giving an example of his own son who didn’t know that his father is an amazing artist. He only got to know when he got old enough to enter the Blues club.
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