On October 1, 2026, Radio City Music Hall hosted “Buddy’s Got The Blues: A 90th Birthday Concert Celebration” to honor one of the greatest blues stars, Buddy Guy. The sold-out event was one of the most notable New York blues gatherings in memory. Tickets on the secondary market sold for over $1,000. The event started with the house lights out and Guy’s voice telling the story of his humble upbringing in Louisiana before moving to Chicago. When the lights came up, Guy was on-stage with Isaiah Sharkey and Derek Trucks for an acoustic version of John Lee Hooker’s “I’m In The Mood”, with Trucks playing slide. Guy joined various performers throughout the night and watched the rest of the program from seats on the side of the stage. Musical Director Steve Jordan’s house band was fabulous and featured Willie Weeks (bass), Kim Wilson (harmonica), Ivan Neville (keys), and Sharkey (guitar). Headliner Eric Clapton was a no-show, but there were countless other highlights during the 3:40 extravaganza.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Robert Randolph did “Crosscut Saw”. Longtime friends Joe Bonamassa and Eric Gales teamed-up in stirring fashion. Of the many guitar players on this night, Gales most closely approached the ferocity and danger of Guy’s vintage form. Shemeika Copeland was a standout. She teamed with Guy for a saucy version of Muddy Waters’ “Rock Me” and Otis Rush’s “I Can’t Quit You Baby”. Poignantly, Jimmie Vaughan and Billy Gibbons played “Texas Flood” in a nod to the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was close with Guy and would have certainly been in attendance. Bobby Rush appeared multiple times and helped hold the show together. Rush is one of Guy’s good friends and is himself about to turn 93. Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Samantha Fish, Doyle Bramhall II, Aloe Blacc, and Gary Clark, Jr. were among the others contributing.
This event was a perfect illustration of how beloved and respected Guy is by both the audience and his fellow artists. Susan Tedeschi and Trucks playing “Messing With the Kid” with Kim Wilson was memorable. Tedeschi also dueted with John Mayer on “Dreams To Remember”. Seemingly Guy was just getting warmed up around 11:00 p.m. He kept calling out songs like “Hoochie Coochie Man” and “I Got My Mojo Working”, with all the performers coming out for the last number. Stagehands brought out a huge cake and the audience sang “Happy Birthday” to the honoree. Guy didn’t want the night to end and said, “This is the greatest day I ever had in my life.”
He may be coming to the end of his touring career, but he’s expected to continue his annual January residency at his Buddy Guy’s Legends club in Chicago. Additionally, Jordan and Guy announced that they, along with The Blues Beats house band have recorded a new album due out in 2027.
Hear the full interview with Bobby Rush HERE
