Main The Connection Collection About History
|
|
Michael Bloomfield (1943-1981) was an American blues and rock guitarist who was a highly influential figure in the 1960s music scene. He was known for his expressive and soulful playing style, as well as his pioneering work in blending blues and rock music. Bloomfield was born in Chicago and grew up in a Jewish family with a strong musical tradition. He began playing guitar at a young age and was heavily influenced by blues artists such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf. He quickly developed a reputation as a skilled and passionate player, and by his late teens he was performing in clubs around Chicago. In the early 1960s, Bloomfield became a sought-after session musician and played on numerous recordings by blues artists such as Waters, Paul Butterfield, and Big Joe Williams. He also formed his own band, The Electric Flag, which combined blues, rock, and soul influences. Bloomfield's playing on The Electric Flag's 1968 album "A Long Time Comin'" was particularly influential, and his solos on tracks such as "Texas" and "Killing Floor" are still considered classics of the genre. He also played on Bob Dylan's landmark 1965 album "Highway 61 Revisited," contributing memorable guitar parts to songs like "Tombstone Blues" and "Like a Rolling Stone." Despite his success, Bloomfield struggled with drug addiction and other personal issues throughout his life. He died of a drug overdose in 1981 at the age of 37. Bloomfield's legacy as a guitarist and innovator has continued to influence generations of musicians. He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Born July 28, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, USA; died February 15, 1981,in San Francisco, California, USA. -GSH The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1963 - 1966) The Electric Flag (1967 - 1968) KGB (1975)
Albums:
Compilations:
Back to Home Last Revised: November 2, 2002 |
