|
Story by Joanna Wintering
Photos by Niva Bringas
|
 |
 |
Guitar Center held the grand finals of its 2006 guitar
competition, Guitarmageddon: King of the Blues at the world famous House
of Blues Chicago Thursday, June 8. Hosted by Cheech Marin.
For the opening act, Guitar Center assembled a group of L.A.-based
hip-hop musicians to perform a special, one-time set featuring classic
blues samples orchestrated by DJ J ROCC. A unique introduction to the
upcoming concert, while being a blast to the vinyl past the performance
was a tribute to the enduring excellence of blues music.
In addition, the King of the Blues grand finals showcased the top six
undiscovered blues guitarists in the country as they battled for the
crown and a prize package worth more than $40,000. Over 6,000 people
participated in this competition across the nation. The grand finals was
an opportunity to see the best of the best. The up and coming talent in
this genre is encouraging and quite diverse as well. The six contestants
ranged in age from 16 – 56 and hailed from California to Boston. As a
special element, each of this year’s finalists performed on stage with a
full band led by award winning producer and guitarist Pete Anderson.
Legendary blues artist B.B. King was the headliner - who better to
represent the roots of guitar playing at the grand finals competition
than the king of the blues himself, B.B. King?
An evening full of a sensational jazz performance by a world-class
artist, In his trademark show-opener, B.B. King had the HOB crowd
shouting in response to his line "Tell everybody … that B.B. King is in
town." The blues master played like everyone should know it, soaring
through licks on Lucille, his trusty guitar, with flair and energy that
defied his 80 years of age.
King's a performer who bridges rock-and-roll history. Rock music was
born of the blues, and King was a central figure in the Memphis music
scene nearly 50 years ago when he was an inspiration to 19-year-old
truck driver Elvis Presley. This night at HOB, there were plenty of fans
just as young still drawing inspiration from the one-time Mississippi
sharecropper.
King also has been a major influence on guitarists of all kinds,
including the six finalists that played prior to King. As well as Eric
Clapton and Keith Richards, artists who in turn inspired many of the
current rock guitar stars. King was a headliner at the Fillmore in San
Francisco in the late '60s and jammed with U2 as that band was hitting
the pinnacle of the music world 20 years later. Before he started his
own rendition of “When Love Comes To Town”, B.B. had mentioned that
Bono had written it specifically for him.
 |
 |
Not bad for a guy who says he can't play a single guitar chord. But on
this night, King was making Lucille sing. He entertained the crowd with
his band's standard campy act at the show's outset, but it was when the
brass took a break and the guitarists sat down to jam that the crowd was
seeing a true legend in action. King's searing licks made the session
magical, with the brief solos punctuated by an occasional B.B. kiss of
the microphone and his growling vocals.
Things got even hotter at the close of the show, when John Mayer pulled
up a chair to join the jam. The two traded solos in various songs and
the fans were on their feet to celebrate a combined 100 years of guitar
virtuosity.
Mayer’s blues playing with King was a continuation of the amazing show
that had already spanned 3 hours. He dazzled the crowd with his
instrumentals, a mix of blues and rock cuts.
Mayer was affable and appreciative to the cheers his playing drew, He
let his guitar do his talking, as he does best. The guitar spoke
volumes, producing an amazing array of sounds and moods to make the
songs come alive.
As any performance that pays tribute to the blues and legendary B.B.
King - it was a display of true passion, dedication, and ultimate
entertainment!
 |
 |
|
