Home » Jazz Articles » In Pictures » Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell Tour 2023

Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell Tour 2023

By Walter Atkins
September 25, 2023
View read count

A collection of photos from the Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell Tour concert at Stern Grove in San Francisco on August 6, 2023 featuring

Eric Gales

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Gales.

In front of one of the largest San Francisco Bay Area crowds (estimated 10,000) seen in recent memory, the eternal

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Guy brought his Damn Right Farewell Tour to a heavily sun-soaked Stern Grove on this Sunday afternoon. The highest elevation of the Grove's hillside was covered by legions of dedicated blues fans eager to see a genuine living legend on his final tour. The eight time Grammy winner and Kennedy Center Awards recipient, performed with an energy that defied his eighty seven years. This day's performance launched with the skillful Eric Gales, a two time Blues Award winner, whose explosive talent and stage presence were undeniable. The enthralled venue showed its full support for Gales' energy. The younger blues guitarist dedicated the closing minutes of his set to Guy, acknowledging the blues master and thanking him for his ongoing support.

Mr. Guy took the stage in his trade mark polka dot shirt and his opening rift was from

Jimi Hendrix

guitar, electric
1942 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimi Hendrix's stunning "Voodoo Child" track. An avid fan quipped "You're in the right place!" Another yelled "Let Jimi loose!" Guy smoothly added references to

Led Zeppelin

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Led Zeppelin and AC/DC's "Back In Black" before coming full circle to close with more Hendrix. This afternoon was now in full orbit mode. Throughout the engaging earthy session, Guy discussed his storied career, full life, wife and family, along with his extensive support of younger blues artists. Guitarist Guy, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement winner, peppered his commentary with an occasional f@#k while claiming he never swore on stage until the rappers came along. That's one way of commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

Buddy Guy ended the heartfelt funky Sunday with his guitarist son Greg joining him. For the finale, Eric Gales returned onstage for an intensely euphoric guitar jam on "Someday Baby Blues" which then turned into Guy's walk-off music. It was an emphatically joyful way to conclude his Damn Right Farewell Tour visit to San Francisco's Stern Grove. View Slideshow

Buddy Guy Farewell Tour 2023

View more photos

PREVIOUS / NEXT

And the Stars Were Shining
< Previous

Dancing Together
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.