Joe Bonamassa Kit Wood

Joe Bonamassa tops Billboard’s Blues Albums chart for a record-furthering 31st time with the July 4 chart debut of The Spirit of Rory: Live From Cork, his tribute to Irish blues guitar legend Rory Gallagher.

Bonamassa pads his wide lead for the most No. 1s since Blue Albums began in 1995; he first ruled the ranking in 2002. Kenny Wayne Shepherd is in second place with 13, followed by Eric Clapton, Tedeschi Trucks Band (12 each) and B.B. King (10).

“When I started making records, I never thought I would be in a position to have survived long enough to make enough albums in the first place, let alone hold the record,” the Utica, N.Y.-raised Bonamassa tells Billboard.

The bulk of the guitarist and singer-songwriter’s chart leaders have been released on his J&R Adventures label. His success has enabled him to expand his brand over the past 24 years; he also runs a sub-label, Keep the Blues Alive, which helps nurture up-and-coming blues artists.

Plus, Bonamassa is prepping the next Sound Wave Beach Weekend, set for April 9-11, 2027, in Miramar Beach, Fla.; runs a merchandise company; and has participated in side projects that explore other genres of music, such as jazz with Rock Candy Funk Party and hard rock with Black Country Communion.

The Spirit of Rory: Live From Cork is Bonamassa’s 12th live No. 1 on Blues Albums. “Live albums have always been my favorite to listen to as a fan and as an artist to make,” he says. “It allows you to expand beyond the constraints of a studio. Live drives the sense of urgency and creativity.”

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