Letter: Julian Piper obituary

Paul Reed

Tuesday, 07 Jan 2020

Julian Piper invited us to his home to interview the American blues guitarist Phil Guy

In 1998 Julian Piper invited us to go and interview the American blues guitarist Phil Guy, who was staying with him at his home in Topsham, Devon. Phil, the brother of Buddy Guy, was a brilliant bluesman and perfect for our Blues Archive project of recording on video the life stories of blues musicians.

Later we filmed Julian and his Junkyard Angels backing Phil in a supercharged performance at the 100 Club in London, released recently on video as Phil Guy: My Blues, Baby.

• This article was amended on 8 January 2020 because an earlier version sited Topsham in Wiltshire.

Paul Reed

Tuesday, 07 Jan 2020

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Julian Piper obituary

Other lives: Guitarist who was one of the UK’s leading champions of African-American blues music

Garth Cartwright

23, Sep, 2019 @12:24 PM

Letter: Julian Bream obituary

Sean Day-Lewis writes: Julian Bream played at my father’s funeral – despite a little difficulty with his new trousers

Sean Day-Lewis

17, Aug, 2020 @6:47 PM

Letter: Bob Koester obituary

Giles Oakley writes: He struck me as a hard-bitten cynic with few illusions on one side, and yet also a heart-warming idealist and indestructible romantic on the other

Giles Oakley

19, Jul, 2021 @4:07 PM

Henry Gray obituary

Blues pianist who played and recorded with Howlin’ Wolf

Jack Barlow

24, Mar, 2020 @4:35 PM

Chris Barber obituary

Jazz trombonist and bandleader whose eclectic tastes helped to shape the face of British popular music

John Fordham

03, Mar, 2021 @12:08 PM

James Harman obituary

Blues singer, songwriter and harmonica player renowned for his demanding approach as a bandleader

Tony Russell

25, Jun, 2021 @5:08 PM

Art Neville obituary

New Orleans singer and songwriter who was a founder member of the Meters and the Neville Brothers

Adam Sweeting

28, Jul, 2019 @4:35 PM

Jimmy Johnson obituary

Stalwart of the Chicago scene whose searing guitar playing and sensitive voice helped take the blues in a new direction

Tony Russell

08, Feb, 2022 @5:50 PM

Art Rosenbaum obituary

Folklorist, painter and musician who documented traditional American music with warmth and tenderness

Tony Russell

21, Sep, 2022 @4:02 PM

Abdul Wadud obituary

Cellist who gave his instrument a new, original and influential voice in the world of jazz music

Richard Williams

24, Aug, 2022 @12:33 PM