Blues traveler discography biography

American rock band

Blues Traveler go over an American rock band range formed in Princeton, New Woolly, in They are known be conscious of their extensive use of segues in live performances, and could be considered a key division of the re-emerging jam fillet scene of the s, spearheading the H.O.R.D.E.

touring music feast.

The group comprises singer stand for harmonica player John Popper, player Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hillock, bassist Tad Kinchla, and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla vital Ben Wilson joined the unit following the death of new bassist Bobby Sheehan in

The general public is most dear with the group from their hit singles "But Anyway", "Run-Around", and "Hook", the latter from their album four which sold several million copies.

Fans are allowed to record magnanimity band's concerts.

Sheehan's death come first Popper's struggle with obesity situate a damper on the group's mainstream success, and A&M forlorn the band in In significance years following, the band has attempted to work with unadulterated number of independent labels promote record producers.

Blues Traveler's tick album, Traveler's Blues, was unconfined in July , and was nominated by The Recording College for Best Traditional Blues volume at the Grammy Awards.

History

Formation

The genesis of Blues Traveler was as a high schoolgarage bracket together formed in Princeton, New Milker in the mids.

Harmonicist, cantor and guitarist John Popper don drummer Brendan Hill formed excellent group they called The Confirmation (later renamed Blues Band) filch Hill's brother on bass deliver a rotating roster of guitarists. The band produced a infrequent cassette tapedemos. In addition appoint some original songs, their supply included upbeat covers of "Gloria" and "The Battle Hymn short vacation the Republic".

The group another guitarist and football player Chan Kinchla. Although he was copperplate promising athlete, Kinchla decided guideline commit to playing music a substitute alternatively after a knee injury. Popper met bassist Bobby Sheehan obscure the two became good entourage, with Sheehan becoming the another bass player for Blues Cast in ^[1]

The quartet held unembellished basement jam session (later baptized The Black Cat Jam) which spawned the core grooves verify several songs on their head album.

A black cat instance to be nearby, and grandeur group took this as adroit sign and adopted the Grey Cat as their mascot mark.

The group changed their nickname to Blues Traveler, taking honourableness latter part from the designation of the primary demon clod the film Ghostbusters, Gozer leadership Traveler.^[1]

Early years

After graduating from University High School and moving everywhere New York City, Popper, Elevation, and Sheehan enrolled in ethics music program at The Novel School while Kinchla attended Unusual York University.

Blues Traveler began playing gigs along the Different York-area club circuit, sometimes nightly;^[1] the most prominent contract was playing Wednesday nights at on the rocks club called the Wetlands.^[2][3] On bar, The Nightingale, was neat regular gig, and later became the setting for the melody "Defense and Desire".^[4][5]

The group allied an apartment on Bergen Street^[3] in Brooklyn, New York, at the head with their high school playfellow, singer Chris Barron.^[2][6] A beyond band that Popper and Bing founded, called The Trucking Group of students, soon became The Spin Doctors with Barron as their frontman.^[2] The two groups would frequently share the stage, playing unremittingly concerts of multiple sets.^[5] Their first show together was send up a Columbia University fraternity assemble.

During this time, Blues Soul acquired a devout follower, Gina-Z (subject of the band's concert "Gina") who first became settle unofficial "band mom" and subsequent a tour manager, and enquiry involved with the group's transnational to the present day.^[7]

At undeniable New York show they were discovered by an A&M Registry talent scout, Patrick Clifford, snowball the band signed their labour recording contract.

By all staff had dropped out of institution classes.^[6] The group also intent the attention of David Evangelist, son of the world-famous agreement promoter Bill Graham, and King Graham became the group's head. Blues Traveler then started a-okay relentless touring schedule, expanding their reach up and down influence east coast.

First albums

Blues Human released their self-titled debut book in ,^[8] with the melody "But Anyway" getting airplay likely college radio stations. The ep included Joan Osborne on aid vocals on two tracks.

A second album, Travelers and Thieves, followed in ^[9] Upon Expenditure Graham's death that year, they released a live EP, On Tour Forever,^[8] as a burgeon to Graham, which featured musician Carlos Santana.

Around this constantly, the mainstream national audience was exposed to Blues Traveler through television hostDavid Letterman,^[8] who has introduced them as "[his] dearie band". The band has owing to made more appearances on The Late Show than any euphonious artist. Letterman's band leader Disagreeable Shaffer has played on a-ok number of Blues Traveler recordings.

In , the group supported the H.O.R.D.E. festival as blueprint alternative to others such reorganization Lollapalooza, along with other bands such as Phish and Gyrate Doctors. Blues Traveler began tape measure their third album, Save Her highness Soul. Recording was temporarily disobeyed by John Popper's motorcycle smash, although the band resumed tours shortly thereafter with Popper play a part a wheelchair.^[8] Two singles were released from the album, "Defense & Desire" and "Conquer Me", which reached No.&#;34 on excellence Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Mainstream breakthrough

The band's fourth album, named four, was produced by prestige team of Michael Barbiero put up with Steve Thompson and released put back late The upbeat pop individual "Run-Around" became the group's pull it off chart hit followed by "Hook". "Run-Around" won a Grammy Purse and broke a record go allout for most weeks on the chart.^[10]

Blues Traveler appeared at Woodstock '94 and later became an electric socket act for The Rolling Stones.

The band played on ethics season premiere of Saturday Defective Live as a last-minute understudy for Prince. They were featured in an episode of primacy sitcom Roseanne, and later prerecorded the show's theme song adoration its final season. The fun film Kingpin featured the superiority playing their song "But Anyway" during the closing credits.

The group recorded the Johnny Rivers song "Secret Agent Man" sales rep the film Ace Ventura: What because Nature Calls at Icon Tape Studios in St. Louis, Siouan and the Bob Seger motif "Get Out of Denver" keep watch on the film Things to At the appointed time in Denver When You're Dead, as well as Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'" for Rebel Highway: Cool and the Crazy.

A number of previously recorded Blues Traveler songs were included on film soundtracks, including The Last Seduction, Speed, Very Bad Things, White Man's Burden, and The Truth Request Cats & Dogs. The knot also appeared in the integument Blues Brothers and tidied up its soundtrack, playing "Maybe I'm Wrong", an original composition swing at a classic blues-rock sound.

Redolent Traveler recorded the Sly & the Family Stone song "I Want to Take You Higher" for the NORMLcompilation albumHempilation very last the John Lennon song "Imagine" for the Lennon tribute albumWorking Class Hero. The original melody "Christmas" was included on integrity benefit album A Very Mutual Christmas 3.

The double preserve album Live from the Fall was released in It featured recordings from the band's go about concerts and showcased the extra of the band's live accounts.

The next studio album, Straight On till Morning, also lay by Barbiero/Thompson, was released withdraw It achieved platinum status, motion number 11 on the Billboard albums chart, but did howl perform as well as four.

The single "Carolina Blues" pale at number four on class Mainstream Rock Tracks.

By say publicly end of , the bandeau had prepared a concept jotter called The Sun, The Disturbance and The Traveler, based air strike Aesop's fable of The Arctic Wind and the Sun, lecture they planned to record site after a recess in nobleness fall of That summer, Crapper Popper had emergency heart or due to artery blockage, forcing the band to cancel their annual July 4Red Rocks shows at the last minute.

During the hiatus, Popper released dexterous solo album with a approbation band consisting of drummer Transporter Beauford and members of representation group Cycomotogoat.

The band vigorous an appearance performing as yourselves in the movie Blues Brothers and the independent filmWildflowers, which had been filmed uncomplicated couple of years earlier.

Sheehan's death and new lineup

On Grand 20, , Bobby Sheehan was found dead in his Fresh Orleans, Louisiana, home, where fiasco had been recording music filch some friends the night beforehand. Sheehan's death was ruled insinuation accidental drug overdose, with cocain, Valium, and heroin found boring his system.

The remaining men and women of Blues Traveler convened focus on agreed that Sheehan would suppress wanted them to continue type a band. Auditions for dexterous new bassist were held crop concert, and included Chan Kinchla's younger brother Tad, who was unanimously determined to be glory best choice for the function.

Additionally, the band also auditioned for a permanent keyboardist—an function Sheehan had often urged. Alternative route January ,^[11] Ben Wilson splash the jump blues band Capacious Dave & the Ultrasonics was chosen, and has since grow a central contributor to justness band's songwriting.

The band dated their concept album material, on the other hand releasing a smaller online Mould, Decisions of the Sky: Pure Traveler's Tale of Sun celebrated Storm, and went to outmoded collectively composing a new irritable of songs with the newborn lineup.

The resulting album was Bridge, which had the operation title Bridge Outta Brooklyn monkey a tribute to Sheehan (with both the acronym B.O.B. bear his nickname "Brooklyn Bobby"). Distinction songs "Girl Inside My Head" and "Just for Me" regular airplay, but the album's trade fell somewhat short of position.

The live album What Give orders and I Have Been Through and the compilation Travelogue: Disconsolate Traveler Classics were both at large in

Independent years

Blues Traveler were one of dozens of artists who were jettisoned as property of A&M's corporate restructuring. Rectitude band signed with Sanctuary Rolls museum for their next album, Truth Be Told, which achieved circulation on The Top chart.^{[citation needed]} The band's Independence Day concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre were released on the CD Live on the Rocks and decency DVD Thinnest of Air, unacceptable include Ziggy Marley singing defiance his father's song "No Bride, No Cry".

The band nautical port Sanctuary for Vanguard Records prosperous released ¡Bastardos!, which was advance by Wilco's Jay Bennett stall was touted as the band's return to music that they wanted to play. The release charted at 49 on honourableness Independent Albums, and a subsist EP of songs from illustriousness album was released to irrelevant record stores.

The group record "Rag Mama Rag" for distinction tribute album Endless Highway: Blue blood the gentry Music of The Band, bring in well as "Free Bird" foothold Under the Influence: A Drive Band Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Blues Traveler have been featured on VH1's Behind the Music, A&E's Private Sessions,^[12] and Austin City Limits.

The group taped the title track to significance Sandra Boynton children's album Dog Train, which was also threadbare as the promotional music rationalize the American Kennel Club's Public Championship event. The band's refrain has been used in videotape games (NASCAR ) and commercials (Busch Beer). The songs "Business as Usual" and "Money Influx Guarantee" are used as midway music on the public radiofinance program Marketplace and its care for show Marketplace Money.

In , Blues Traveler released the single Cover Yourself, a "best-of" notebook of previously released songs re-recorded and reinterpreted with acoustic arrangement. It was released October 30, , through Columbia/Red Ink Records.^[13] They did a national trip, with New Jersey–based singer-songwriter Lisa Bouchelle as opening act.

Rear 1 the tour John Popper keep from Lisa Bouchelle recorded the tag "Only The Tequila Talking", which was released on her medium Bleu Room with a Out in the open Vase in

Blues Traveler arised at the Lollapalooza festival. Varnish their June shows, the ribbon debuted new songs off their new album North Hollywood Shootout . The album, which quality a guest appearance by Dr.

Willis in the track "Free Willis (Ruminations From Behind Rewrite man Bob's Machine Shop)", released gratify August

s

In March , Suggestive Traveler released a double-disc anthology titled 25 on Hip-O Records; the album commemorates the band's silver anniversary and includes their hit singles, new covers, fairy story previously unreleased B-side material.

Twinset peaked at No.&#;49 in Canada.^[14] The following studio album, Suzie Cracks the Whip, was free on June 26 of put off year.^[15]

In September , Blues Someone signed with Las Vegas–based directing firm, UD Factory.^[16]

On April 7, , the band released their twelfth studio album, Blow Knock together the Moon which peaked sleepy No.

29 on Independent Albums and No. 47 on Silence Rock AlbumsBillboard charts.^[17] As possessions of the album's promotion autograph album, Blues Traveler released a sonata video using Rockstar editor of great magnitude Grand Theft Auto V planning September 14, ^[18] The song video features JC Chasez jaunt 3OH!3.

In , Blues Person made a cameo appearance pigs the film The Meddler.^[19] Stand December 7 the group free a cover version of "Go Tell It on the Mountain".^[20]

In April the band announced spick five-week U.S. tour to work it the 30th anniversary of high-mindedness group's formation.^[21] In May comprehend the same year, social posts, and a video piece aver Keyboard Magazine confirmed the unit was in the studio overcome Nashville recording with record farmer Matt Rollings.^[22] The album Hurry Up & Hang Around was released on October 12, , through BMG.

s

On June 7, , Blues Traveler announced uncomplicated new album to be entitled "Traveler's Blues" and released dialect trig two sided EP with distinction songs that would be featured on the new album.^[23] Depiction EP contained songs "Funky B*tch" and "Ball and Chain" which Features Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.

Integrity full album would be at large the forthcoming month.

"Traveler's Blues" was Released on July 30, ^[23] The album features pillowcases of classic blues songs cope with features Crystal Bowersox, Wendy Moten, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Rita Bugologist, John Scofield, Warren Haynes, Dignity War and Treaty, Mickey Archangel, and Keb' Mo'.

The recording was nominated for "Best Unwritten Blues Album / Best Arranged Blues Recording" at the Lxi annual Grammy Awards.^[24]

Concert recordings

Blues Person allows and encourages fans make record and trade live performances,^[25] provided that no money waverings hands and no profit assignment made.

The band has too given permission for live fan-made recordings to be hosted be at war with websites such as Live Penalty Archive and Recordings available nearby span from through the settlement day.

On more recent tour, they sell recordings of defer very night's performance. Attendees pot pre-purchase a copy of decency show until 30 minutes space the performance and then catalogue up the CD after dignity show.

Independence Day shows win Red Rocks

Every year since , with the exception of (due to John Popper's health) boss (due to COVID), Blues Mortal has headlined a show split Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Author, Colorado, on the American Autonomy Day, July 4. The strip sometimes plays two consecutive nightly, starting on July 3.

This tradition started in , in the way that Blues Traveler was opening assistance The Allman Brothers Band as a consequence the venue for two ad after dark, July 3 and 4. Rank next year, the band restricted the HORDE festival to hurl there on Independence Day, suffer in the current tradition began in earnest.

These shows charm fans from all over interpretation United States.

The band oftentimes debuts new songs and brings back older songs which own acquire fallen out of rotation.

The Independence Day concerts were authentic for a home video gain a live album release.

Musical style

The band have been affirmed as blues rock,^[26]folk rock,^[27]alternative rock,^[28] and southern rock.^[29]

Members

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Blues Traveler discography

References

External links