Buddy Guy
b. George Guy, 30 July 1936, Lettsworth, Louisiana, USA. An impassioned and influential guitarist, Buddy Guy learned to play the blues on a rudimentary, home-made instrument, copying records heard on the radio. By the mid-50s he was sitting in with several of the region's leading performers, including Slim Harpo and Lightnin' Slim. In 1957 Guy moved north to Chicago. He initially joined the Rufus Foreman Band but was quickly established as an artist in his own right. The guitarist's first single was released the following year, but his career prospered on meeting Willie Dixon. This renowned composer/bassist brought the young musician to Chess Records where, as part of the company's houseband, he appeared on sessions by Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Guy also made several recordings in his own right, of which the frenzied First Time I Met The Blues and the gutsy Stone Crazy are particularly memorable. 
As well as pursuing his own direction, Guy also established a fruitful partnership with Junior Wells. Having completed telling contributions to the harpist's early releases, HOODOO MAN BLUES and IT'S MY LIFE BABY, the guitarist recorded a series of excellent albums for the Vanguard label which combined classic Chicago blues with contemporary soul styles. His fiery playing was rarely better and Guy won attention from the rock audience through appearances at the Fillmore auditorium and his support slot on the The Rolling Stones 1970 tour. The artist's career lost momentum during the '70s as the passion which marked his early work receded. Guy has nonetheless retained a considerable following on the international circuit. In 1990 he was one of the guests during Eric Clapton's memorable blues night at London's Royal Albert Hall. The following he released the magnificent DAMN RIGHT I GOT THE BLUES which was recorded with the assistance of Clapton, Jeff Beck and Mark Knopfler. The critical acclaim put Guy firmly back in the echelon's as one of the outstanding blues guitarists currently performing. This was further enhanced by the excellent FEELS LIKE RAIN.