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Blues

Buddy Guy, American Master

Daniel Hautzinger

A new documentary explores the Chicago blues legend's life as he refined his craft and influenced some of rock's most famous guitarists. "It is the American story," says the filmmaker. "Buddy worked his ass off and kept at it, despite never having massive success."

50 Years of Chicago's Independent Blues Label

Daniel Hautzinger

Alligator Records was born when a young hippie decided he had to record an unusual artist he had seen "50 times" at a Chicago club. Fifty years later, it has recorded legends, fresh upstarts, the Queen of the Blues, and more, all while retaining a family feel.

Happy 90th Birthday to the Queen of the Blues

Daniel Hautzinger

Koko Taylor would have turned 90 today. The daughter of poor Tennessee sharecroppers, she eventually came to Chicago and cleaned North Shore homes before signing with Chess Records and becoming the Queen of the Blues in a male-dominated genre.

How a Chicago Genre of Music Inspired One of The Biggest Bands in the World

Daniel Hautzinger

Without the Chicago blues of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon, promulgated through Chess Records, the Rolling Stones might not exist. 
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