Broughton Quarterly - Summer 2008 - (Page 32) He is tHe master bluesman of ChiCago, a rock and roll Hall of famer. even now, in 2008, a Half-century after moving to tHe windy city from His native louisiana, Buddy guy reigns supreme amongst a cHicago blues elite wHose History includes legends sucH as muddy waters, otis rusH, and magic sam. ¶ witH a flair for sHowmansHip inHerited from louisiana’s guitar slim, guy is a twenty-one-time winner of tHe w.c. Handy blues award (a record), winner of billboard’s elusive century award, a five-time grammy award winner, and a medal of arts recipient from president busH in 2003. ¶ wHen He’s not on tHe road, you’ll likely find Him at His ChiCago Blues club, buddy guy’s legends. we cHatted as He prepared to take tHe stage—at 72 years old and fresHer tHan ever. buddy, what do you say we have a little fun? Let’s see what you’ve got. You’re abducted and taken to another planet. how do you explain the blues to the aliens? they already know! i’m telling you! hey, i’m just joking. the blues is something that makes you happy if you wanna laugh and will make you cry if you wanna be sad, because we’re gonna tell you the facts of life. the Polka dot hall of fame honors you for your guitars. how do you explain them in your acceptance speech? You know, i’m actually the oldest boy of five children, three boys and two girls. i was the oldest, and i was the first child to leave the family. My mom always worried about if we were okay. i didn’t want her to feel like i was going to be stranded—but i was. but i wasn’t going 32 Broughton Quarterly Summer 2008 to let her know that. i told her to perk her up and feel better, that i was going to Chicago and i’m going to get a job and i’m going to buy her a polka dot Cadillac and come back and make her laugh and smile. a big old brand new polka dot Cadillac to let her know how well i’d done. i forgot about that until after she’d passed and gone, and didn’t think about a polka dot guitar ‘til some years later. So the famous polka dots honor your mom. Yes. See, i never really wanted a polka dot Cadillac; i made that up for her. i made that up for her and i winded up with a polka dot guitar. You’re in heaven and can spend time with five women friends. Who are they? Well, you know, i tell everybody i talk to that there should be different issues for L-O-V-E. i’ve been married twice and the love i
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