Walter Trout

Walter Trout

Walter Trout at the Riverwalk Blues Festival, 2007
Background information
Born (1951-03-06) March 6, 1951
Ocean City, New Jersey, United States
Genres Blues, blues rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Songwriter
Instruments vocals, guitar
Years active 1969–present
Labels Ruf/Platinum/Provogue
Associated acts John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Canned Heat, Percy Mayfield
Website Waltertrout.com
Notable instruments
Fender Stratocaster

Walter Trout (born March 6, 1951, Ocean City, New Jersey, United States[1]) is an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.

Biography

Trout's career began on the Jersey coast scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s. He then decided to relocate to Los Angeles where he became a sideman for Percy Mayfield and Deacon Jones. He also worked in the bands of John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex.[1]

In 1981 he became the guitarist for Canned Heat.[1] This led to an invitation to play in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers where he shared the stage with fellow guitarist Coco Montoya.[2] He left the Bluesbreakers in 1989 and formed the 'Walter Trout Band' which developed a successful following in Europe, especially Scandinavia where he was managed by Thomas Helweg.[3] The Walter Trout Band made its UK debut in Blackpool after being brought to the UK by the late Mick Schofield in 1990. Walter also made an appearance at the Redcar Blues Festival the same year and was also interviewed by Bob Harris before returning to the US for his wedding.

In 1994 the official Walter Trout Fan Club for the Netherlands and Belgium was founded, followed in 1996 by the official International Fan Club which has members in 14 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Australia. In 2006 the official International Fan club celebrated its tenth anniversary by giving fan club members an exclusive live CD recorded in Las Vegas, Nevada, which was the last performance of the late bassist, Jimmy Trapp, who died in 2005.

In 1998 Trout released his self-titled US debut album and renamed his band 'Walter Trout and the Free Radicals' (later renamed 'Walter Trout and the Radicals' and currently simply 'Walter Trout'). Since that time Trout has been recording and touring in North America, Europe and India.

In 2002, he was featured on the Bo Diddley tribute album, Hey Bo Diddley - A Tribute!, performing the song "Road Runner" and many more guest appearances on other recordings.

In 2013, his album, Luther's Blues, was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the 'Rock Blues Album of the Year' category.[4]

In June 2013, while touring Germany, Trout got the first signs that he was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. With his heath deteriorating, he continued to tour until told he needed a liver transplant within 90 days.[5] Supported by donations from fans, his wife raised the money needed for the operation.[6] In 2015 Trout had recovered and was able to go on Tour in Europe.[7]

His 2015 album, Battle Scars, chronicles his battle with liver failure.

In November 2015, Trout became a patron of The British Liver Trust so that he can help raise awareness and much needed funding. “I’m only still here because someone donated their liver” he said.[8][9]

In 2016, he won two Blues Music Awards for "Gonna Live Again" (Song of the Year), and the Rock Blues Album of the Year for Battle Scars.[10]

Discography

Walter Trout in concert at Skanderborg Festival 2007, Denmark

Walter Trout Band

Walter Trout and the Free Radicals

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring Walter Trout

Walter Trout and the Radicals

Walter Trout

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Biography by Jason Ankeny". Allmusic.com. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
  2. ↑ "John Mayall Bio 2015". johnmayall. Hibiscus Production. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Thomas Helweg". DIscogs. Discogs. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "2014 Blues Music Awards Nominees and Winners". Blues.about.com. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  5. ↑ Leadbetter, Russell (2014-06-21). "Herald Scotland". Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  6. ↑ Jackson, Nate (2014-08-01). "How Walter Trout Cheated Death With Help From the Blues | OC Weekly". Blogs.ocweekly.com. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
  7. ↑ "Walter Trout talks curry, blues and survival ahead of Rock City gig". Nottingham Post. 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  8. ↑ "Walter Trout becomes a Patron of British Liver Trust - British Liver Trust". British Liver Trust. 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  9. ↑ "Walter Trout becomes Patron of the British Liver Trust". Music-News.com. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  10. ↑ "2016 Blues Music Awards Winner List". Blues411.com. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
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