# Buddy Guy on underrated blues guitarist Earl Hooker

> Buddy Guy reveals how Earl Hooker's slide guitar mastery went unnoticed.
- Title: Buddy Guy on underrated blues guitarist Earl Hooker | Shortify
- Summary: Buddy Guy reveals how Earl Hooker's slide guitar mastery went unnoticed. Buddy Guy says Earl Hooker's slide guitar work was overlooked despite his impact on…
- Keywords: buddy guy, earl hooker, slide guitar, blues music, blues guitarists, underappreciated musicians, Guitar World
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/buddy-guy-dear-guitar-hero-2007
- Published: 2026-11-04T14:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: buddy guy, earl hooker, slide guitar, blues music, blues guitarists, underappreciated musicians
## Buddy Guy's early guitar journey
Buddy Guy learned rhythm by playing with drummer Fred Below in Chicago in 1957.
## The rhythm challenge
Guy said junior wells called him 'you can play, but you ain't got no time' in 1957.

> you can play, but you ain't got no time
## Old recordings' authenticity
Guy believes old blues recordings sound warm because they were recorded with just guitar, amp, and mic.
## The slide guitar mystery
Guy heard a melody at a club and asked 'who is that singing?' when told 'no-one, that's hooker playing slide'.

> who is that singing? no-one that's hooker playing slide
## Earl Hooker's impact
Guy gave hooker a slide guitar after hearing his unique style at a club in 1957.
## Vanguard Records period
Guy felt he had more freedom at vanguard records but still faced constraints from the label.
## Key takeaway

Buddy Guy says Earl Hooker's slide guitar work was overlooked despite his impact on blues music.