I’m seeing them tomorrow. I’m pretty psyched. I saw Buddy a couple years ago in Champaign, IL, and that was great. Who knows how long these two will still be around?
Anybody else love the blues? Does BB King put on a good show?
I’ve seen BB a couple of times, both gigs were quite enjoyable. Besides the music, he’s got some great stories to tell and a wicked sense of humor. If he’s sharing the bill with Buddy Guy, I think you’ve got one hot ticket.
I’ve seen BB King about 12 times (did lights for him or ran a spotlight each time) and he’s always great.
I saw Buddy Guy once and he was unbelievably amazing. His album Sweet Tea is, IMO, one of the 10 best rock and roll albums of all time. For your sake, I hope he plays Baby Please Don’t Leave Me and Done Got Old… his versions are my favorites; yes, I like them even more than I like Junior Kimbrough’s original versions.
ETA: btw I hope and expect that you will have a fantastic time! Good on you for scoring tix!
Woke up in a bar in Chicago, saw the polkadot guitar, said, “Oh, it’s Buddy Guy,” and went outside to puke.
Not one of my better nights, no fault of Mr Guy. You have to pace yourself.
Buddy Guy, I’ve seen live, fifteen feet from my face, at full volume and it was damn amazing.
You’re gonna have a hell of a time. Bring cash to pick up a CD or two.
Have seen both quite a few times. Buddy Guy toured with George Thorogood a few years ago, amazing. Guy walked and played his guitar through the stands at Meadowbrook (MI), I got some great photos from a few feet away.
You’re going to see one hell of a show!
BB King plays sitting down now because of his diabetes, but he can still pump out the blues on Lucille. One of the last of the old time blues masters.
Well, that was a tale of two halves. Buddy Guy looks and sounds like someone twenty years his junior. BB King looked and played just like you would expect an 85 year old to.
10 years ago or maybe a bit more BB King gave the greatest blues show I’ve ever seen live, under a bridge in Missoula. He had a killer band, full horn section, dual drummers playing unison, fine piano/Hammond player, the whole shmear. I’d say he won’t disappoint.
I’ve seen Buddy Guy a few times, but my father went to a blues festival a few months ago and said he ruled completely, right down to the salty “blues” language. And, of course, that guitar (and vx).
We saw BB King and Buddy Guy at a Blues and BBQ festival on June 4.
Buddy was great as always. I have seen him 6 or 7 times and he still puts on a hell of a show.
BB on the other hand was not good. During his 75 minute set, he played three songs (one of which was a crowd sing-a-long to "You Are My Sunshin"e). His band would start a song, he would play the first few notes of it, slow the band down, then stop and talk about someone in the front row. He rambled on like a 85-year-old. He’d start stories, get confused and start another story. His band tried to keep him on track, but it wasn’t working. I have seen BB years ago and it was one of the best blues concert I have ever seen; when I saw him in June, it was sad.
I saw BB King in Providence, RI, on his 80th birthday tour. I wasn’t that surprised that he can still play just as well as ever… His playing style has always been very fluid and soulful, and let’s face it, never really used a lot of chords. 
So it’s no surprise he can still do it at his age. It’s all about him being one with Lucille, and not so much about complex finger contortions. He’s still got that signature BB sound. What really surprised me though, was his singing. He can still belt it out, or at least he could when I saw him 5 years ago. 
He still did a lot of dancing too, albeit it was a sort of… seated dancing. He did the whole show sitting down, presumably because of his diabetes.
It was definitely a great show though! One of those shows that I’m really thankful I was able to see while the man’s still with us.
Got distracted before I read the rest of the thread, and of course missed the edit window. Sounds like time is catching up with Mr. King. I guess I should count my blessings that I saw him when I did. At age 80, he played a very full set (was nearly 2 hours IIRC) and was fantastics. Ah well, guess the man deserves a pass at age 85!
This was my exact experience. Damn shame I didn’t see him sooner.
I’ve seen BB at the Coach House, A Taste of Irvine, and a funeral (no, he wasn’t performing there).
Class act. Great show. Have a great time.
That’s what I was afraid someone was going to say about the Blues Boy. He’s not been well recently.
But hell, at least he draws people to a Buddy Guy concert. And Buddy’s awesome enough for three.
As disappointing as your show might have been, you DID get to see him. It won’t be too long before he’ll be playing in the big room upstairs.
I have a chance to hear Buddy Guy this coming Sunday night. I hope I can juggle the schedule and make it happen.
I feel the same way. I’d sit in a room with him just to watch him take a nap. I’ve been a huge fan since I was in HS. Buddy Guy is another legend in my book.
I hope to live to see 85, and not be drooling on myself.
You are half way to a gold record, right there.
look around a little bit and find some of BB’s early recordings, he’s always been a topnotch singer but you’ll be amazed at young BB’s beautiful voice.