Guy, Buddy (1936-…), is an influential American blues musician. He is known for his fiery electric guitar playing, passionate singing, and showmanship. Guy is a pioneer in the development of the modern blues sound. His music has inspired a number of rock performers, including Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones , and Jimi Hendrix. Guy has won a number of Grammy Awards for his music.
Guy was born on July 30, 1936, in Lettsworth, Louisiana. His real name is George Guy. He learned to play guitar as a child. Guy played with blues bands in Louisiana before moving to Chicago in 1957. Among his first recordings, around 1958, were “This Is the End” and “Try to Quit You Baby.”
In 1960, Guy began recording for Chess Records, a blues and early rock ‘n’ roll record label in Chicago. His notable recordings at Chess include “First Time I Met the Blues” and “Broken Hearted Blues” (both 1960), “Let Me Love You Baby” and “Ten Years Ago” (both 1961), “Stone Crazy” and “When My Left Eye Jumps” (both 1962), “No Lie” (1963), “My Time After Awhile” (1964), and “Leave My Girl Alone” (1965).
Guy played guitar on a number of recordings by other blues performers, including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf , and Koko Taylor. Guy also recorded a number of successful blues albums with the harmonica player Junior Wells. Guy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. He wrote an autobiography, When I Left Home: My Story (2012). Guy became a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2012.
