Great American Rib Cook-Off: Buddy Guy

Jimi Hendrix once said “Heaven is lying at Buddy Guy’s feet while listening to him play guitar,” and Eric Clapton has even called Buddy the best guitarist ever. He’s too modest to admit it, but Buddy could very well live up to those claims. Buddy Guy has been playing with style and grace since 1953 and has only become better with time. In 2012 he released two albums, I Suffer With The Blues and Live Legends, proving that the 76-year-old artist can still keep up with the best of them. Unlike Bob Dylan’s rancidly scratchy vocals from years of smoking, Buddy Guy’s voice has a clarity and enthusiasm that simply soars over the rhythm section, validating his dedication to the blues in every moving falsetto tone. The guitar is an extension of his own body running through impossible licks, effortlessly and switching between the soaring screeching style of a modern Eric Clapton and the minimalistic soft style of B.B. King. And you can’t deny the man has style as he performs in a decked out white pinstripe suit and his signature polka dot guitar. Age has only made this legendary artist more talented, outspoken and risky. (William Hoffman)