Every Friday around 11 a.m. Central, it’s time for Classic Americana on Radio Heartland. We pull a special track from the archives or from deep in the shelves to spotlight a particular artist or song.

George “Buddy” Guy was born on July 30, 1936, in Lettsworth, Louisiana, making him 88 this year.

While he was growing up in the South, Guy began his development as a blues musician. When he moved to Chicago as a 21-year-old, he soon signed to Chess Records, and began session work with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor, and many others. With label boss Leonard Chess saying Guy’s playing was “just making noise,” he had to wait to be taken seriously as a solo artist.

More from Radio Heartland:

• Classic Americana: Howlin' Wolf
• Classic Americana: Muddy Waters

As artists like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Keith Richards became aware of Guy’s gifts as a guitarist and vocalist, his legend grew. Clapton later inducted Guy into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, saying “He stood out in the mix, simply by virtue of the originality and vitality of his playing." Guy has released dozens of studio and live albums, and has won eight Grammy Awards. His signature Fender Stratocaster guitar features a polka-dot finish, a tribute to his mother. 

Buddy Guy opened the blues club Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago in 1989, and he plays a residency there every January.

For our Classic Americana pick, we’re going to hear Buddy Guy’s take on a legendary song, “Mustang Sally.” Written in 1965 by Mack Rice and famously recorded by Wilson Pickett in 1966 (and also covered by Muddy Waters), Buddy Guy recorded this version of the song in 1991, along with his good friend, the late English guitarist Jeff Beck. 

Classic Americana Playlist

External Links

Buddy Guy – official site