The blues world was dealt a heavy blow this week. On Wednesday, August 20, Chicago blues legends Phil Guy and Little Arthur Duncan both passed away. Phil was the lesser-known but equally talented brother of Buddy Guy. Born in Lettersworth, Louisiana in 1940, he backed Louisiana bluesman Raful Neal before moving north to the Windy City in 1969. There, the guitarist/vocalist played in his brother Buddy's band and often backed Junior Wells. Phil Guy's unique brand of deep funky blues was a major attraction on the Chicago scene. Most recently, he backed California blues harp player Rod Piazza on his 2005 Delta Groove album "For the Chosen Who."

Little Arthur Duncan is a Mississippi native born in 1934 in the hometown of B.B. King. After arriving in Chicago at the age of 16, he became friends with Little Walter (harmonica player for Muddy Waters), who inspired the teenager to pick up the instrument. Duncan soon became a regular on the West Side scene of Chicago, and opened the popular blues club Artesia Lounge. He was a fantastic harmonica player and vocalist, and you can hear him on his last album, 2008's "Live at Rosa's Lounge" on Delmark Records.


Both Guy and Duncan were not only great players, but were also big fans of the blues. Unlike many full-time blues musicians, these two would go out to the clubs around Chicago on their nights off to watch the city's many working blues players practice their art. On the August 27 edition of Blues At Sunrise, DJ Smokehouse will be doing a special tribute to these great artists. Tune in from 7-9 AM.