Six String Army!

CLAPTON, RICHARDS & GIBBONS: Leaders of the Six String Army

A who's who of guitar players will gather tonight (Friday) at the legendary Apollo Theatre in New York to pay tribute to the late blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin who passed away in December.

Led by Eric Clapton, Howlin' for Hubert will also feature Keith Richards, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Elvis Costello, Jimmie Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimmy Vivino and many, many others, plus a few surprise guests. The show is a benefit for the Jazz Foundation of America. As of last night (Thursday), there were still $1,000 tickets available.

Sumlin, known for his years backing blues legend Howlin' Wolf, died on December 4th at the age of 80. Richards and Mick Jagger paid for his funeral. On Tuesday during his performance at the White House, Jagger dedicated his version of Howlin' Wolf's "Commit a Crime" to Sumlin. As for President Obama joining in on "Sweet Home Chicago," Jagger says he did "very well... I thought he was courageous, because there was some element of reluctance. It was a hard moment for the president to get out of."