Buddy Guy: The Blues Legend Celebrates 90 with the BG90 Tour
Three years back, Buddy Guy revealed his intentions to embark on the Damn Right Farewell Tour, hinting at a potential end to his touring days.Though, at the age of 89, he continues to captivate audiences, riding high on the success of his latest album, ain’t Done With the Blues.
As his 90th birthday approaches on July 30, Guy is gearing up for a celebratory tour. The BG90 North American Tour is set to kick off on July 15, 2026, at the iconic Massey Hall in toronto.
In a recent interview with Guitar Player, Guy expressed that while he has contemplated retirement, he feels a deep responsibility to continue performing. “I’ve thought about stepping back a couple of times,” he shared. “But when I reflect on the legendary blues artists who have passed, like B.B. King and Lightnin’ hopkins, I remember their words: ‘You need to keep playing and representing the blues,’ especially since it’s not getting airtime on the radio anymore.”
“I’m still doing what I’ve always done. Every time I get onstage, just try to play the best I can.”
– Buddy Guy
“So I told myself, ‘Buddy, you need to hang in there a bit longer. My health is holding up, and I’m still doing what I love. every time I step on stage, I aim to give it my all,” he added.
Guy’s dedication has certainly paid off over his remarkable 60-plus year career. He boasts nine Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, a Kennedy Center Honor, a National Medal of Arts, and a Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll, Musicians, and Louisiana Music Halls of Fame.
In addition to his accolades, a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail honors his contributions to the genre. Last year, he gained renewed visibility through his role in the acclaimed film Sinners, where he portrayed an older version of a key character and performed the song “Travelin.’”
“He’s a true inspiration,” remarks Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, who considers Guy a meaningful mentor in his life.
“When you hear him play,you just no that’s how it’s meant to be done,” says Tom Hambridge,the Nashville-based producer who has worked with Guy on his last seven albums,from 2008’s Skin Deep to Ain’t Done With the Blues. He is not surprised that Guy’s farewell tour turned into a new beginning.
“This is his life,” Hambridge explains. “He thrives on stage – ‘Put a guitar in my hands and let me perform with others.’ That’s been his existence for decades. he genuinely believes in keeping the blues alive, honoring the legacy he inherited from Muddy Waters and others.By creating new music and performing, he feels he’s preserving the essence of the blues.”
“The blues has been treated like a stepchild. When I was growing up, you could turn on the radio and hear everything.”
– Buddy Guy
Guy’s frustration is palpable as he reflects on the state of blues music today. The son of Louisiana sharecroppers, he learned to play on a simple two-string diddly bow. “The blues has been sidelined,” he laments. “Mainstream radio doesn’t play our music anymore.back in my day, you could tune in and hear a variety of artists – not just B.B. King or Lightnin’ Hopkins. They showcased everyone – from horn players to gospel and jazz musicians. That diversity is gone. Satellite radio offers a bit more, but it still neglects the deeper cuts.”
“My own son didn’t recognize my music until he turned 21 and could enter the blues clubs.He said,’Dad,I had no idea you could play like that!’ And at our outdoor shows,kids as young as seven or eight approach me,amazed,saying,’Wow,I didn’t know who you were!’”
“It’s not just me – it’s the blues. When they hear it, they fall in love with it. They just aren’t exposed to it enough, which is why I’m still here.”
Buddy Guy’s BG90 tour will commence on July 15 at Massey Hall in Toronto and will run until October 29 at Graceland Soundstage in Memphis.
