My favourite is BB King because he is a fantastic guitarist I love the blues too.
The best performer I've seen in person is BB King because of his guitar playing and his just friendly demeanor and crowd interaction, but my experience has been a little limited.
I wish I could have seen Howlin' Wolf in person... he apparently put on an amazing show every night. Muddy Waters in his heyday would've been awesome to see too. Living in Chicago in the 50s with all those guys playing would've been very cool. Hard question, cuz 1st, I like all sorts of music. When it comes to blues, I also like it all. If I had to select one, I guess it would be John Mayall Buddy Guy, Freddie King, SRV.
Great guitarists who sing with a conviction and feeling that makes their mediocre voices rise above themselves, and become just as powerful an instrument as their guitars. Tough one.
Buddy Guy, flying to see him at the Long Beach Blues Fest. Great Bill with him headlining with Dr. John, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal and others. Got to meet him a few times and talked Blues for hours. I've been a blues fan for many years and have heard most of the greats, either recorded, on TV, film or in person, so it's tough to pick out one. I'll pick 2, one deceased & one still with us.
The late Stevie Ray Vaughan is my favorite guitarist ever. I know he had many influences (e.g., the great Albert King is one), but his blues/rock fusion exhibited his uniqueness - he wasn't just a "cover," he was the real deal - as was the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, who 1st introduced me to the blues in the 60s & lead to my discovery of the great black originators.
Of those with us, there are several dozen I really like, young & old, male & female, various races (it's not just a black or even a black & white thing anymore!), including the great BB King. But picking one, I'll take harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite. I have a personal affection for him & his style, having seen him in person off and on for the last 35 years or so. He's got the feeling & talent & is always surrounded by great musicians, including the last time I saw him at the annual "Blues By the Bay" in Eureka, CA in July. If I only get one (which I would refuse to do in real life)
Muddy Waters-don't even have to think hard about that!!! Hi,i love all of the already mentioned performers.I live in Australia and thought i would tell you some of my favourite blues people.Jimi Hocking,Bondi Cigars(love,love,love),Geoff Achinson(he has just moved to America),Wild Turkey,Scrub Turkey,Powerhouse Blues Band,Have Blues will travel,Kerri Simpson,Wos Foster,Harper,Chris Wilson(brilliant harp player),there are many,many more all over the country.I love blues because it makes me feel free and relaxed.The above performers mainly do good hard rocking blues not all blues is about heartache or death or depression(some people seem to think that)I love watching BB King he is just a master to his guitar Lucille.Hope this helps. Today I'll say Maceo Merriweather for no other reason than his brilliantly emotional song "Worried Life Blues" I am a blues fan and I would have to say that Jimi Hendrix is my favorite blues performer.
He only did about 15 real blues songs but I like him because of the technique and sound he put into his blues. He honored and played with the greats of blues like Muddy Waters and Albert King.
I think the only person who could top Hendrix would be either Stevie Ray Vaughan or Muddy Waters I really can not just name one. Leadbelly when I am feeling down. When I want to really hear the beginnings of rock and roll Mississippi John Hurt. Heart break it's BB King time, the wisdom of Nobody's Home, Thrill is gone. Stevie Ray Vaughan.
It's like his guitar has some omnipotent spirit, and Stevie's and the guitar's spirit merge together into one super monster or undeniably awesome blues.
Or something like that. I guess what I mean to say is its very difficult to find musicians that even compare to SRV. I am a blues fan and my favorite is SRV. Quite simply in my opinion either the greatest on his own, or hendrix reincarnate. Buddy Guy, he was a big influence on Hendrix. Enough said. | 