Legendary blues musician Buddy Guy has urged Chicago officials to do more to honor the city’s status as the “Blues Capital of the World.” Speaking before the City Council last week, Guy called for monuments and greater recognition for artists who shaped Chicago’s music scene.
Guy pointed out that other cities, such as New Orleans, Nashville, and Memphis, have already erected monuments honoring musicians like Little Milton and Bobby “Blue” Bland. In contrast, Chicago has yet to establish similar tributes. The city does have some notable acknowledgments, including a mural of Muddy Waters by Eduardo Kobra at State & Washington and landmark status for Waters’ former Kenwood home.
“I don’t see a picture of [anyone] that made Chicago what it is today — Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williams — I could go till tomorrow, but I’m not going to do that,” Guy said at City Hall. “But I’d like to see statues or something here to let the world know that Chicago is the world capital of the blues.”
Following his remarks, Axios reported that Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) is collaborating with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on a proposal intended for Guy’s 90th birthday later this year. The City Council also honored Guy during its Wednesday session.
Diamond M. Dixon, executive director of Chicago Blues Revival, expressed support for Guy’s call. She told Block Club she hopes city leaders will make a significant investment in preserving blues culture.
“I will say that I think Chicago historically has not always given Chicago blues the reverence that it deserves. Chicago often uses Chicago blues and even the Blues Fest as ways to attract tourism, but they don’t really invest in the culture substantially like they do other things. But essentially, I think that we are in a good spot, especially with Buddy Guy doing that form of proclamation,” said Dixon.
Dixon suggested looking at New Orleans as an example where both community members and businesses actively participate in promoting local culture. She noted how Second Line parades involve all ages and demonstrate strong community engagement alongside commercial investment.
“You see little babies out and about doing their thing in the Second Lines [parades] and things like that, but establishments and businesses have also bought into the culture. So we’ve seen that it works. There are plenty of examples where there are investments from everyone, as far as buy-in is concerned,” Dixon said.
Despite these calls for public recognition through statues or monuments, Dixon emphasized the importance of supporting neighborhoods tied to influential blues artists.
“We can have all the things in any reference to those people who have come before us to establish such a heavy [blues] culture in Chicago, but what about the infrastructure that really solidifies and builds and validates the legacy of those people who you are building statues for?” Dixon said.
