For the last twelve years Buddy Guy has given new meaning to the winter blues in Chicago. Typically a slow, quite month in the industry, January is the hottest time of the year here at Legends. The Buddy Shows have become a phenomenon that brings life and energy to this place when it is needed most. I had the opportunity to talk with Buddy about the history of his legendary shows.
When Legends first opened in 1989, Buddy regularly played at the club to keep the place going. But as his popularity grew and the club built a strong fan base, Buddy felt it would be better to use an idea that was inspired by his friend Eric Clapton. He decided it would behoove himself and the club if he only played at Legends during a series of shows held over one month. “My parents always told me, ‘don’t wear out your welcome,’ people get tired of hearing the same thing everyday,” said Buddy.
As many of the blues greats passed on, Buddy became one of the last blues pioneers left in Chicago. He gained much popularity as he put out more albums and won several Grammys. “Chicago has always been a very loyal crowd…But they {the fans} get bored with people.” So Buddy decided to play Legends only once a year. He said he did not want to give people to much.
His strategy worked because every January Blues fans from all over the world pack into Legends to see Buddy work his magic on stage. Buddy exudes energy, he is a captivating performer, which can be hard to find these days, and fans prefer to see Buddy at this own club rather than at a large venue. “People would rather pay to see me play at the club than to pay a hundred and fifty to see me play in a bigger place.” That is because he gets down and personal with the crowd during the January shows. Buddy is known to walk through the crowd, out the door and even in the bathroom, guitar in hand, playing his heart out. The closer he is to the fans the more he talks to them, the more human he is to the people.
When I asked Buddy if he plays any differently for the home crowd as opposed to when he is on the road. “I just play like I normally play… I don’t change, I can’t be nuthin’ but Buddy.” For sixteen nights every January, he does just that, giving the crowd his all for each performance.
Buddy told me he picked January as the magic month for his shows because it is generally one of the slowest months in the service industry because of the holidays and often-bad weather. An old friend of his used to own a club in Chicago called Randolph’s and he would close the place down in January because business was so poor. “Right after Christmas people are broke… they’re trying to catch back up with their bills,” said Buddy.
People are less inclined to spend money this time of year, unless they have a really good reason, like seeing Buddy play. So instead of laying off his employees or shutting down the club, Buddy decided to turn the worst month into the best month. He jokes saying that people have come to see him in January because it’s to cold to stand outside in Chicago. Each year the shows sell out and the bar is packed to capacity, full of excitement and memorable times.
It’s hard for Buddy to pinpoint a specific favorite memory that stands out over the years, since nearly every show is amazing. But he did touch on some aspects of the shows that he does enjoy. Some of Buddy’s fondest memories are of the special musical guests who have joined him over the years.
He likes to see the people enjoy themselves, sharing laughs over drinks and great music. He wants the people to be happy, that’s why he mingles with the crowd and stays after the show to sign autographs and chat with fans.
Buddy recalled one incident, years ago when a woman from Canada had purchased about thirty tickets for a show, when she got to the club there was a problem with the tickets and she was understandably upset. Buddy made every effort to amend the situation and made sure the group had a wonderful time. Buddy Guy is of a rare breed to performers. Even with his accumulated fame, he remains a humble man. He knows what it is to struggle, to come from so little and to achieve greatness, never forgetting where he came from. With his January shows, Buddy has created a phenomenon in Chicago that draws people together from all over the world and all walks of life in the name of good old blues As a young man Buddy was given some valuable advice, “MY parents always told me, ‘Don’t ever try to be the best in town, just be the best ‘till the best come around.’”
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