As Buddy Guy approaches his 90th birthday later this year, the blues world is preparing to celebrate one of its last remaining living legends with an extraordinary all-star concert at New York’s iconic Radio City Music Hall.
Set for October 1, Buddy’s Got the Blues: A 90th Birthday Concert Celebration promises to be one of the most significant blues events of the decade, bringing together a remarkable lineup of artists whose careers have been shaped by Guy’s influence and whose admiration for the Chicago blues master runs deep.
Leading the bill are guitar giants Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr., Billy F Gibbons, Derek Trucks and Eric Gales, alongside powerhouse performers including Susan Tedeschi, Jon Batiste, Robert Cray, Shemekia Copeland, Samantha Fish, Bobby Rush, Robert Randolph and Ivan Neville. Additional special guests are expected to be announced in the lead-up to the event.
The evening will be overseen by acclaimed drummer and producer Steve Jordan as musical director, ensuring the celebration reflects the depth and breadth of Buddy Guy’s extraordinary musical legacy. Most importantly, the man himself is scheduled to take part in the festivities, giving fans a rare opportunity to witness one of the greatest blues performers of all time being honoured by his peers while still actively performing.
Few artists have had a greater impact on modern guitar music than Buddy Guy. Emerging from the Chicago blues scene in the late 1950s, Guy became renowned for his fiery guitar work, emotional vocals and electrifying stage presence. His groundbreaking style helped bridge the gap between traditional blues and the emerging sounds of rock music, influencing generations of players including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer.
Throughout a career spanning more than six decades, Guy has amassed an extraordinary list of achievements. He has won multiple Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts by former U.S. President Barack Obama. His recordings, including Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues, Sweet Tea, Living Proof and The Blues Is Alive and Well, have helped keep the blues relevant for new audiences while remaining deeply connected to the genre’s roots.
Remarkably, even as he approaches 90, Guy continues to perform regularly and remains one of the most dynamic live entertainers in music. His influence extends well beyond the blues community, with artists across rock, soul, country and contemporary music citing him as a formative inspiration. In recent years, Guy has found a new generation of fans through collaborations with younger artists and his appearance in the acclaimed 2025 film Sinners, introducing his music and larger-than-life personality to audiences who may not have previously explored the blues.
The Radio City Music Hall celebration is expected to be both a tribute and a living testament to Guy’s enduring relevance. With several generations of musicians sharing the stage, the concert will highlight not only the impact Buddy Guy has had on popular music, but also the continuing vitality of the blues itself.
For fans of guitar music, the event represents a rare gathering of some of the finest players on the planet, united in honour of the man many regard as the greatest living blues guitarist.
Tickets for Buddy’s Got the Blues: A 90th Birthday Concert Celebration go on sale June 26, with demand expected to be exceptionally strong for what is certain to be a historic night celebrating one of music’s true pioneers.
Tickets for Buddy’s Got the Blues: A 90th Birthday Concert Celebration will go on sale Friday, June 26, at 10 AM ET.
