On the side of the street in New Orleans, two men sat together, one holding a guitar and the other a harmonica. They were clearly ready to entertain passersby with some music, but little did many of the people on the street know that this was Grandpa Elliott and Stoney B – two buskers who had become legends of the New Orleans busking scene. The duo was about to impress passersby once again with renditions of ‘Bring It On Home To Me’ by Sam Cooke and ‘Back Door Man’ by Willie Dixon.
The duo’s performance drew a large crowd, filling the street, unable to walk past the pair’s powerful, bluesy sound. Despite there being very little visual spectacle — just two men seated on the side of the street — it was the quality of their music that made people stop in their tracks. It was clear that the pair were truly enjoying the music they were playing, and that joy connected with the people who heard them. One online viewer even called it “one of the best busking vids of all time.”
I was amazed by how the two not only enjoyed playing the music but also connected deeply with it, allowing the song’s emotion to move through them. While Stoney B interacted with the crowd, making eye contact and singing to them, Grandpa Elliott seemed almost in his own world, lost in the music. Despite this, they were also completely in sync and connected with each other, and I was very touched to see Stoney B’s expression of admiration when Grandpa Elliott began to play his harmonica.
Music Man fans may be surprised to hear that, since this busking video was recorded in 1999, Grandpa Elliott has become a global internet sensation, thanks to his involvement with the organization Playing For Change. In these performances, he collaborated with musicians around the world to spread the message of connection through music. One of his most popular collaborations is ‘Stand By Me’, performed in Japan, and the online video has now received over 38M views.
Despite passing away in 2022, Grandpa Elliott’s legacy will be remembered across the world for a long time to come. Thankfully for the rest of us here at the Music Man, his prolific playing means there is no shortage of recordings showcasing his magnificent talent for us to continue discovering and enjoying. Plus, with Stoney B now touring his own blues sound across the world, he is sure to carry his memories of Grandpa Elliott with him wherever he goes. From the streets of New Orleans to his global collaborations, he will be remembered as a skilled and generous musician who brought the joy of music to all those who encountered him.
Grandpa Elliott and Stoney B are true New Orleans busking legends — their soulful, bluesy performance proves how music can stop a street and move a crowd. If you want to discover more from these extraordinary performers, check the useful links below this paragraph for recordings, videos and background.