When I Left Home cover art

When I Left Home

My Story

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When I Left Home

By: David Ritz, Buddy Guy
Narrated by: Mirron Willis
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About this listen

According to Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy is the greatest blues guitarist of all time. An enormous influence on these musicians as well as on Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, he is the living embodiment of Chicago blues.

Guy’s epic story stands at the absolute nexus of modern blues. He came to Chicago from rural Louisiana in the fifties - the very moment when urban blues were electrifying our culture. He was a regular session player at Chess Records. Willie Dixon was his mentor. He was a sideman in the bands of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. He and Junior Wells formed a band of their own. In the sixties, he became a recording star in his own right.

When I Left Home tells Guy’s picaresque story in his own words, those of a storyteller who remembers everything, including blues masters in their prime and the exploding, evolving culture of music that happened all around him.

Buddy Guy was born in 1936 in Lettsworth, Louisiana. He is considered among the best blues guitarists alive today. He lives in Chicago.

©2012 Buddy Guy with David Ritz (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Musician Guitar Chicago Louisiana

Critic reviews

“Buddy has never failed to amaze me first as an artist and secondly as a beautiful guy…Long may he give us his gift.” (Keith Richards)
“Buddy Guy was to me what Elvis was for others…[He] is by far and without a doubt the best guitar player alive.” (Eric Clapton)
“Guy is a vibrant and hilarious storyteller. With a natural ease and honesty, he captures the spirit of the age, the culture of violence in the clubs, and the personalities of his colleagues...Highly recommended for any fan of Guy and those interested in the history of blues music.” ( Library Journal)
All stars
Most relevant
Yes I love the blues, but what a story, what a life, I laughed, I cried, what a truly humble human being. If you love the blues and want an audio book you can’t put down, then this is for you. On an extra note the performance is truly amazing, it feels like buddy himself is narrating.

The best book I’ve ever listened to!!

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A truly inspiring story that is excellently told and delivered and stirs every emotion. A real treat.

Riveting

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I walk whilst listening so never fail to be imbursed in the books ut this was a great story. Great insight into the blues and music business and how a young black musician felt at that time.

Fascinating tale of a Blues Legend

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Buddy guy tells his story, some great anecdotes about his time in Chicago. Chess records and Jr wells ..

Some stories about legends

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First, I have to admit to being a big fan. Blues is the blood that keeps me alive. I was very excited to find out this audio book exists.

And it lives up to my expectations. A fascinating life full of the most wonderful list of characters that ever existed. Highlights for me include Buddy's first meeting with Muddy Waters and the poignancy of so many stars extinguished in the book's latter chapters.

Although I have read many a blues memoir, there was still so much I learned, so many stories from this humble, modest superstar.

If you like music, you should listen. If you like the blues, you must listen.

The Narrator is superb, a rich smooth voice that fits perfectly.

Looks like I'm gonna have to buy the book too.

A Great Bluesman.

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