RATINGS: A = must own B = buy it C= average D = yawn F = puke

Muddy Waters & the Rolling Stones – Live at the Checkerboard Lounge 1981
Eagle Rock Entertainment
www.eaglerockent.com
Rating: A

The Rolling Stones pulled into Chicago for a three night stay at Chicago’s Rosemont Horizon during their 1981 American tour. After a show, the Stones decided to drop in on Buddy Guy’s Checkerboard Lounge to check out a gig by one of their heroes, Muddy Waters.

Shortly into the set, Muddy sees the Stones enter the club and take a table up front. The Bluesman wastes no time in getting the Stones to join him, making this one hell of a historic performance.

Joining Waters onstage were Mick Jaggar, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Ian Stewart. Buddy Guy and Junior Wells also sat in for a few songs.

The songs played that night were truly a showcase of blues greatness. “Baby Please Don’t Go,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Mannish Boy,” “Got My Mojo Working,” “One Eyed Woman” and “Champagne & Reefer” brought the house down.

Rock fans are fortunate that the show was being filmed, as if the cameras were not rolling, then this would just be one of those legendary gigs that people talk about. This time, we’re lucky that it is a legendary gig that remains to this day for all to enjoy, time and time again.

By Jeb Wright