11/07/2024
Buddy Guy: When I heard of Lightnin’ Hopkins, he was out of Texas. Back then, it was what the late Lou Rawls called the Chitlin’ Circuit. Until the British started playing the blues, very few white people was aware of Lightnin’ Hopkins and Arthur Crudup and all that. And when Elvis came up, he’d been doing “Hound Dog,” which is a Big Mama Thornton song. That’s when the British started playing the blues.
And that’s when White America woke up. Matter of fact, I can give you a little story on Mick Jagger. He came here, they had a television show called Shindig! and they was trying to get the Stones to do it.
Jagger says, “I'll do it if you let me bring Howlin’ Wolf .” White America said, “Who in the hell is that?” And he got offended because they didn't know who he was!
See, I don't read music. I just watch people like Lightnin’ Hopkins, Guitar Slim, and BB King. When I saw Guitar Slim, he was wild and crazy! When I saw BB King, he didn't need no special effects. His left hand could vibrate like the special effects. So I said, I wanna play like BB King, but I want to act like Guitar Slim.
Derek Scancarelli / Forbes Interview
Photo: KK OTTESEN
