Buddy Guy

Buddy Guy arrived in Chicago in 1957 with nothing but a guitar and left a mark so deep that Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton both named him their greatest influence. His wild, feedback-drenched style—often played with a broken string—redefined electric blues. Guy's showmanship at his own club, Buddy Guy's Legends (open since 1989), has introduced blues to over 500,000 visitors. He outperforms #9 Freddie King in career longevity and formal acclaim, earning seven Grammy Awards and the 2012 Presidential Medal of Arts. A single 1960s club show could last four hours, and his 1991 album 'Damn Right, I've Got the Blues' sold over 500,000 copies, proving his raw power still captivates modern audiences.