Buddy Guy was honored at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall concert featuring John Mayer, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Gales and enough guitar cable to tie Manhattan to Chicago. At 90, Guy appeared moved, delighted and evidently unconvinced by the concept of retirement.
The “Buddy's Got the Blues” celebration traced the influence of one of the last great Chicago bluesmen. Guy opened acoustically with John Lee Hooker's “I'm in the Mood” and later joined a sprawling finale of “Got My Mojo Workin'.”
His influence is hiding in plain hearing
Guy's dynamic shifts, distortion and theatrical attack shaped players from Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix onward. The tribute lineup demonstrated how many branches grew from that electric style.
At 92, Bobby Rush joined his longtime friend, while Shemekia Copeland represented another essential blues lineage.
The night pointed forward
Guy announced plans for a new album featuring musicians from the event. The concert was not merely an obituary rehearsal with premium seating; it was a working artist gathering collaborators.
The Associated Press reported the Radio City celebration on October 2, 2026.
Guy called it the greatest day of his life. The blues, having survived everything else, politely declined the retirement party.
Facts first. Side-eye included.
DJF separates what is confirmed from what is claimed—and tells you why this particular mess is worth your time.
Max Rewind
Gen X Files & Pop-Culture ArchaeologyMax remembers when television ended at midnight, concert tickets were affordable, and nobody called a reboot “content.” He digs through the culture we survived.
“Rewind it, verify it, and please stop remaking everything.”