The 89-year-old blues guitarist returned to Meijer Gardens on Monday night with an opening set by his daughter, singer Carlise Guy. The review and photo gallery at Local Spins.
On Stage and Still Impressing Fans: Buddy Guy at Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Adam Briggs)
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Anyone who knows anything (or wants to learn) about the blues starts with certain key elements of the history and legacy of the genre — from where and why it began, how it evolved into what it is today.
There are key names of musicians to know — those who helped bring the genre to where it is now, not to mention shaping where it’s headed next.
In many of these discussions, look no further than Buddy Guy.
The iconic and passionate bluesman turns 90 next week, and he’s celebrating the only way he knows: by playing the blues to sellout crowds the world over.
With the “Buddy Guy 90” tour in full swing, the guitarist stopped at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday to thrill a Grand Rapids crowd one more time.
But he didn’t come alone.
To help him celebrate, blues singer Carlise Guy, Buddy’s daughter, opened the evening with her powerful voice and the Nu Blu Band, leaving the audience up and cheering to launch a great evening of blues.
Appreciative Fan: The crowd on Monday night. (Photo/Adam Briggs)
Buddy Guy was greeted appropriately with a standing ovation as the nine-time Grammy Award winnere took the stage, starting off with his trademark favorite, “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues.”
As the evening continued, Guy demonstrated time and again why he is known as one of the greatest. Sometimes blazing through a solo, other times playing single notes in slow and low blues tempo, and sometimes playing in an unconventional way, getting a laugh out of the crowd with entertaining expressions and comments.
Toward the end of the evening, Guy brought his daughter back out on stage along with his son, guitarist Greg Guy. As the three of them stoode performing together, a true family affair, it was hard not to look back on the distinguished career of the legendary bluesman who’s worked tirelessly to keep the blues alive.
At one point, he repeated a phrase from a classic song: “You don’t have to be the best in town, just try to be the best, till the best come around.”
It all left fans cheering every note and out of respect for what Buddy Guy has accomplished over his illustrious career. He earns that applause every single night, while leaving everything he can out on that stage.
It’s the only way he knows to play.
PHOTO GALLERY: Buddy Guy, Carlise Guy & The Nu Blu Band at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Adam Briggs
