February 22, 2021

This week we take a peak at Buddy Guy playing at Summerfest here in Milwaukee in 2009.

I've seen Buddy Guy play 3 times and he is classic bluesman who is so good!

He was born in 1936 and continues to play and tour.  Every January, he takes a break from touring the world and just plays at his club, Buddy Guy's Legends, in Chicago.

Buddy has influenced so many people but a couple major artists are Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Jeff Beck.

Born in Louisiana he came up to Chicago in 1957 and tried to get his music going in the right direction, which is the blues. A lot of people didn't care for his music because it had supposedly too much of a rock influence. They would say that it was a bit too harsh.

His big voice has helped him in his solo career. Before going solo he was getting experience with Muddy Waters and the Chicago club scene.

In 1958, a guitar competition in Chicago with Otis Rush and Magic Sam gave him his first record contract for winning the competition. Buddy can play guitar with the best of them and win.

Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones love to tour with Buddy and have even come to his club in Chicago to play with him.

Jeff Beck and Buddy have become very good friends and have played together on a few Buddy Guy records.

Enjoy a look at Buddy Guy at Summerfest in 2009 when he brought a great band as usual. The other guitar player you will see is Ric "Jazz Guitar" Hall who can spin is guitar 360 degrees while playing! The only other person I've seen do that is Billy Gibbons of Z Z Top.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Buddy Guy having fun at Summerfest in 2009! One of the best ever bluesmen!!

March 23, 2020

On March 8, 2020 a very nice memorial tribute was held at Anodyne Coffee in Milwaukee to honor the Mighty Stokes who passed away several weeks earlier. Stokes was a major blues man in Milwaukee who influenced many people.

The last time I saw Stokes was at The Up and Under club on Brady Street about 25 years ago! Sad to say I never photographed him.

He influenced all the performers at this tribute for sure.

We stayed for a good portion of the night and got to see and hear some great music.

My good old high school mates Leroy Airmaster performed with Steve Cohen, Bill Stone, Marc Wilson and Dave Kasik doing some great music as usual.

Jim Liban and his blues combo played some rockin' blues with Perry Weber and Kurt Koenig. Milwaukee Slim even joined them for a while!

Stokes was smiling upstairs for sure.

Enjoy a look at the evening.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

July 8, 2019

On Monday, July 1, 2019, at Kochanski's Bar in Milwaukee, we celebrated Junior Brantley Day! Proclamation was even given to Junior from the city as the photos show.

A lot of musicians showed up to celebrate the night with Junior Brantley and it was fun.

Shortstuff, Leroy Airmaster and more came to celebrate!!! Some of these guys I grew up with and went to high school with!! They were a huge influence on my music tastes.

I will let the photos do the talking now. Enjoy

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Jammin' with Junior! An evening with Junior Brantley and a lot of friends on July 1, 2019 at Kochanski's.

September 3, 2018

The Wilson Center here in Brookfield, Wisconsin has an annual guitar festival. There is a lot happenig both outside and inside the Wilson Center. The photo of this little girl having fun is cute I think! She was listening to the band outside and having fun.

This year for the main act, the Elvin Bishop Big Fun Trio performed to a full house.

I've photographed and met Elvin a few times since 1977.  Always a great show and an amazing guitar player. Could listen to his stories and slide guitar forever!

The Big Fun Trio consists of Elvin, Bob Welsh and Willy Jordan.

Bob Welsh played both keyboards and guitar. Not sure which he is better at but his guitar playing is awesome!

Willy Jordan hand played a Peruvian drumbox and it was a great sound to hear. Who needs a drum set with this talented guy!

Enjoy some photos of a great night at a beautiful festival just a couple of miles from my home!

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Elvin Bishop and his Big Fun Trio at the Wilson Center Guitar Festival on August 17,2018.

November 13, 2013

On a cold December night in Milwaukee, Luther Allison warmed up the house with his blues.

It was December 2, 1972 at the basement club ,Humpin Hanna's.

This show is still one of my favorites at that club!

Enjoy a look at Luther.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann

Luther Allison in Milwaukee at Humpin Hanna's December 2, 1972.

April 10, 2017

On Sunday night April 9th here in Milwaukee, the Elvin Bishop Group and Marshall Tucker bands were doing a show. Wish I could have made it because they are both awesome bands! Too much going on right now.

So, we look back at a show that Elvin Bishop did at Summerfest in 1977. This was when Mickey Thomas was in his band before he went on to Jefferson Starship.

Elvin at this time had two great hits, Travelin' Shoes and Fooled Around and Fell In Love. Mickey Thomas who did the vocals on Fooled Around and Feel In Love that made him famous.

I just heard a story about Elvin's Gibson ES-345 that he has played for years. During his days in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Louis Meyer traded this Gibson for a Fender Telecaster that Elvin was playing. Elvin has played the Gibson ever since!

Enjoy a look at Elvin doing a daytime show and a few beer barrels from Summerfest! I like the photos of Elvin getting out of the limo with a Schlitz and the one of him sleeping backstage. They had just flown in from Hawaii and were a bit tired.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann