“He’s My Blues Brother”, Phil Guy’s title track to his most recent album, blares through Buddy Guy’s Legends at various times of the day and night. The song explains his relationship with his older brother, Buddy Guy. “We are the real Blues brothers!” Phil exclaimed on stage before Buddy joined him in a duet this past January. So, it is with mourning and regret that we hear the news of Phil losing his battle with cancer and passing away on August 20, 2008. But to know that he will never stand on Legends’ stage with the club’s logo in the backdrop, or that fans listening to him will never boogie to the funky sounds screaming from his guitar, remains an even greater tragedy. His love of Blues remains his legacy. Besides being a Bluesman and brother, Phil was also a beloved husband, uncle, father, grandfather and friend.

Phil shares a similar bio as his older brother Buddy—both were born to sharecroppers, both experienced the trials of poverty, and both learned the guitar on their own. But Phil, born on April 28, 1940, would embark on a musical journey to the soul side of Blues. Phil followed Buddy to Chicago and joined his band in 1969 before going on his own venture.

The band, consisting of the brothers, would regularly perform at Theresa’s Lounge. Alongside his brother, Phil jammed with the likes of well-known musicians in tours across Europe, in Africa and in the United States. But it was in the 1990s when Phil went solo.

He formed his band—Phil Guy and The Chicago Machine—and delighted fans around the world. Influenced by the upbeat sounds of Jimmy Reed and James Brown, Phil recorded around ten albums and his music continues to be a testimony full of his life’s ambitions and accomplishments. The heavy guitar licks and overt bass lines allowed listeners to fully understand the era that was important to Phil. So, as Phil played, the people continued to dance.

His albums will continue to rotate through the sound system of Buddy Guy's Legends. But it will have a deeper significance when his name is mentioned while Buddy reminisces about Blues legends of the past during his own performances. Staff members of Legends will fondly remember his smile, curly, black hair and thick mustache. Phil will always be a part of the family. And to Legends he will always be known as “Uncle Phil”.

posted by A Pen Pal  # 1:51 PM