Joe Bonamassa is a blues guitarist and singer who has been making music for over 30 years. His music is heavily influenced by the great blues legends who came before him, including Muddy Waters.
Muddy Waters was one of the most important figures in the history of the blues. Born in Mississippi in 1913, he moved to Chicago in the 1940s and became one of the biggest stars of the city’s vibrant blues scene. He played a key role in popularizing electric blues, which combined traditional acoustic blues with amplified instruments and a more aggressive sound.
Joe Bonamassa has often cited Muddy Waters as one of his biggest influences. In fact, he named his record label J&R Adventures after Muddy’s real name: McKinley Morganfield. Bonamassa has covered several of Muddy’s songs over the years, including “You Shook Me” and “I Can’t Be Satisfied.”
In addition to covering Muddy’s songs, Joe Bonamassa has also paid tribute to him in other ways. In 2014, he released an album called “Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks,” which featured covers of songs by both Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. The album was recorded live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado and was a huge success, cementing Bonamassa’s reputation as one of the best contemporary blues artists.
Bonamassa has also spoken about how important Muddy Waters was to him personally. In an interview with Guitar World magazine, he said: “Muddy Waters had this ability to make you feel like he was singing directly to you… He had this way of making you feel like he knew what it was like to be you.”
Joe Bonamassa may have never met Muddy Waters in person (Waters passed away in 1983), but his music continues to inspire generations of blues musicians today. As Bonamassa himself has said, “Muddy Waters is the king of the blues, and he always will be.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Joe Bonamassa’s Performances at Red Rocks and Upcoming Tour Locations
When did Joe Bonamassa play Red Rocks?
Joe Bonamassa played at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado for the first time on August 31, 2013. He returned to Red Rocks the following year on August 23 and 24, 2014, to record his live album “Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks,” which was released in March 2015.
Where is Joe Bonamassa playing?
Joe Bonamassa is currently on tour and playing shows in various cities across the United States and Europe. For a full list of upcoming shows, visit his website at joebonamassa.com/tour.