Legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy is 85 years old and his current, and he says last, tour is called the Damn Right Farewell Tour. He recently stopped by The Lyric Baltimore for a date on the tour.

Buddy Guy is one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time with a career that spans over 50 years. He has released over 20 solo albums and many more collaborations throughout that time.

Buddy was born in 1936 to sharecroppers in Louisiana and he later became well known for his Chicago electric blues and as a blues guitar trailblazer alongside such icons as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Buddy at No. 23 in its “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” Over the years, Buddy Guy has influenced such legendary guitarists as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Gary Clark Jr., and many, many more.

His career highlights include eight Grammy awards, 38 Blues Music awards (the most of any artist), a 2015 Grammy Lifetime Achievement award, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Billboard Music Awards’ Century Award for distinguished artistic development, the Presidential National Medal of Arts, and he is a 2005 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On April 4, Buddy Guy brought his electric blues guitar to the lovely, old style theater environs of The Lyric in Baltimore.

Throughout the nights 11-song set, Buddy told stories of his youth and shared anecdotes of artists he’s played with to the full house of blues fans.

He smiled throughout the show, obviously having fun while thrilling his fans with his guitar fireworks.

His touring band consisted of bassist Orlando Wright, second guitarist Ric Hall, drummer Tom Hambridge, and keyboardist Dan Souvigny.

Buddy was joined by his special guest Bobby Rush on several songs in the set such as Willie Dixon’s “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “The Same Thing” and then BB King’s “Rock Me Baby” to close the evening.

Stream “I Just Want to Make Love to You” by Buddy Guy on YouTube:

Setlist

1. Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues
2. Hoochie Coochie Man / She’s Nineteen Years Old (Muddy Waters cover)
3. Skin Deep
4. I Just Want to Make Love to You (Willie Dixon cover) (with Bobby Rush)
5. The Same Thing (Willie Dixon cover) (with Bobby Rush)
6. Love Her With a Feeling (Lowell Fulson cover) (with Bobby Rush)
7. Grits Ain’t Groceries (Little Milton cover)
8. How Blue Can You Get? (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover)
9. Down the Road (Jimmy Reed cover) (snippet)
10. Fever (Eddie Cooley cover)
11. Rock Me Baby (BB King cover) (with Bobby Rush)

Here are some photos of Buddy Guy performing at The Lyric Baltimore on April 4, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse.

Here are a couple of photos of Buddy Guy and Bobby Rush performing together! Photos again by Michael Sprouse.