Happy birthday Buddy Guy!

Buddy "Motherfucker" Guy was born on this day in 1936 in Louisiana. He's known as one of the wildest performers of the blues and he's playing the blues since early 50s. Today he's one of the most important guitarists in the world.

Buddy's albums to get: Damn Right, I've Got the Blues and his recent Skin Deep. Happy birthday to the king of modern day Chicago blues!

Howlin' Wolf birthday!

Howlin' Wolf was born 100 years ago, on 10th June 1910 in - of course - Mississippi, USA. He was one of the most influential figures in Chicago blues and one of the most important artists that recorded for Chess Records. Furthermore, he was big and bad. He popularized many blues standards, from "Spoonful" to "Smokestack Lightnin'" that remain favorites to this day.


Many blues purists overlook this album - well, even if it's not the classic 50s blues that Howlin' Wolf played, it's a very fine LP. The Wolf with his long-time collaborator Hubert Sumlin, the Rolling Stones' rhythm section, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood: The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions. Recorded in his latter days, it'll give you a cool glimpse of what's it all about.

Bob Dylan's birthday

Happy birthday to Bob Dylan :) He's turning 69 today. Well that's quite something :) I still listen to his first album from time to time. Bob released it in March 1961. Where would we be without his music today?


Probably one of the most important artists in my life. It's a good day to watch I'm Not There - beautiful movie.

Muddy Waters' birthday!

It would've been 97th Muddy's birthday... Time to hail the Father of not only Chicago Blues, but music as we know it today ;) Can't write no more, no words can say how much he's missed.


The one and only Hoochie Coochie Man ;)

Brian Jones' birthday

Brian Jones would've been 68 today. A former member of the Rolling Stones and one of the greatest multi-instrumentalists ever drowned in his swimming pool on July 3, 1969. Brian was a very fine slide player, he had a great collection of old blues records, from Jimmy Reed to Muddy Waters. He played with Jimi Hendrix and introduced his band at Monterey. 2 days after his death the Rolling Stones performed a concert in Hyde Park dedicated for Jones.


Here's a really good photo of him from filming of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" music video in 1968. After '67 his role in the band was a trifle, although he remained one of the coolest musicians ever.

On his birthday... listen to Stones' early blues stuff! I recommend 1964 sessions in Chicago or simply their second album called "The Rolling Stones, No. 2". It's great :)

Happy birthday Elmore!

I'm not turning this blog into a birthday calendar but anyway... This is the final reason you have to get a drink of cold whiskey today. On 27th January 1918 (wow, the very year my country became independent after more than a hundred years of vanishing from the maps... ancient times, really) the King Of Slide Guitar was born: Elmore Brooks. We all know him better as Elmore James :)


This is the time to dust yer brooms and see how the sky's crying ;) Elmore started his career in the 30s and died waaay to early in 1963. Let's raise your glasses to the definitive bottleneck guitar player. I love him. Everybody in the slide business played his tunes, from Hound Dog Taylor to Duane Allman. Listen to some of his standards: "One Way Out", "It Hurts Me Too", "Shake Your Money Maker"... They're priceless.

Eric Burdon recorded a tribute song to James called "No More Elmore" (live here). A goooood one ;-)

Etta James' birthday

Etta James turned 72 today. Happy birthday to one of the greatest blues singers of all time! With career lasting more than 50 years she's a true legend. Now's the time to listen to "At Last" one more time... ;-) My favorite tune is "All I Could Do Was Cry", though.


You just got to see two of her 1986 performances with Chuck Berry and Keith Richards: "Rock and Roll Music" and Hoochie Coochie Gal. That's the blues... ;-) Hail hail Etta James.

Keith Richards' birthday!

It's 18th December and Keith Richards, the Rolling Stones' guitarist, is turning 66 today. He's my favorite musician of all time and the true king of the cool. ;-) Happy birthday! Keith is famous for his great riffs ("Satisfaction", "Start Me Up", "Brown Sugar", "Jumpin' Jack Flash") but he can play mean blues too. The Stones played it since the very first day the band existed and in the middle 60s they reminded America of their roots and helped many classic blues artists. See this blues thread on IORR and check out his version of "Still A Fool" played with Hubert Sumlin. :)



Hail hail Keith Richards. (Photos by Ethan Russel). Awesome tracks from YouTube: Cocaine Blues, 32-20 Blues, Satisfaction Blues... ;)

The Rolling Stones' lead guitarist Keith Richards claims to have snorted his father's ashes and has had enough blood transfusions over the years to feed a thousand vampires. At this point, we can't decide whether he's going to die tomorrow or live forever. (RS)

In 1968 Pope declared Keith Richards was God.