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It's hard to listen to the music of Tommy
Bolin and not wonder what could've been if the exceptionally talented
(and versatile) guitarist hadn't succumbed to a senseless drug
overdose at the age of 25 — just as his career appeared to be
taking off. In a recording career that lasted only several years,
Bolin not only touched upon several styles (blues-rock, ballads,
fusion, funk, reggae, and heavy metal), but showed that he could
master each one — as evidenced by his two solo albums and various
recordings with the likes of Zephyr, Billy Cobham, Alphonse Mouzon,
the James Gang, Deep Purple, and Moxy. Born in Sioux City, IA,
on August 1, 1951, Bolin tried the drums and piano as a youngster,
but by the age of 13 began playing the guitar. It wasn't long
before he was jamming with local rock outfits, and three years
later he was expelled from school for refusing to cut his long
hair. Undeterred, Bolin relocated to Denver, CO, where he formed
his first real band, American Standard.
By the end of the '60s, Bolin found himself in the blues-rock
outfit Zephyr, led by Janis Joplin sound-alike Candy Givens. Despite
high hopes, the group was never able to translate their local
success from coast to coast (despite Bolin's talents supposedly
grabbing the attention of guitarists whom Zephyr opened up for
— including Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page). After a pair of albums
that failed to attract a large audience, 1969's self-titled debut
and 1971's Goin' Back to Colorado, Bolin left Zephyr. Interested
in the burgeoning jazz fusion scene (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather
Report, Miles Davis, etc.), Bolin formed a similarly styled outfit,
Energy. But apart from live shows and demos, Energy failed to
secure a recording contract.
Word on Bolin's guitar ability was beginning to spread amongst
musicians, however, and Mahavishnu drummer Billy Cobham invited
the young guitarist to play on his solo debut, Spectrum. Issued
in 1973, the album became an instant fusion classic, as Bolin's
fiery guitar work lit up such tracks as the over-the-top "Quadrant
Four," "Stratus," and "Red Baron." Spectrum also proved to be
an important stepping stone for other guitarists (allegedly, it
inspired Jeff Beck to issue such similarly styled albums as Blow
by Blow and Wired), and for Bolin's career as well, as he would
land gigs with such renowned hard rock acts as the James Gang
and Deep Purple solely on the strength of his playing on the album.
Bolin was hired by the James Gang to get their career back on
track; after founding guitarist Joe Walsh had left the group in
1971, the remaining members had seen their fortunes slowly fade.
And while Bolin's arrival didn't return the group back to the
top of the charts, a pair of quite underrated albums were issued,
1973's Bang and 1974's Miami, as the guitarist also sang lead
for the first time on record. It was also around this time that
Bolin adopted a flashy image on-stage — complete with feather
outfits, nail polish, and multi-colored hair. Shortly after the
release of his second album with the James Gang, Bolin left the
band, as he'd grown discontent with their musical direction. Relocating
to Los Angeles, CA, Bolin supplied guitar to another fine fusion
release, Mind Transplant by ex-Weather Report drummer Alphonse
Mouzon.
It was also around this time that Bolin secured a solo recording
contract, but a phone call from Deep Purple was just around the
corner.With the departure of Ritchie Blackmore in 1974, Deep Purple
suddenly found themselves without a guitarist. When the group's
singer, David Coverdale, remembered hearing impressive guitar
work on the Spectrum album, Bolin was tracked down, offered a
tryout, and landed the gig with Purple immediately. As a result,
Bolin was often doing double-duty in recording studios — working
on both his solo debut (Teaser) in Los Angeles and his Purple
debut (Come Taste the Band) in Germany. Both recordings were issued
in 1975, but like the James Gang gig beforehand, Bolin's tenure
with Purple was short-lived, as they split up a year later.
It was no secret amongst his friends and fellow musicians that
Bolin had developed a dangerous addiction to hard drugs throughout
the early to mid-'70s, which only worsened by 1976 (so much so
that some wondered if he had a death wish). Bolin continued working
at a breakneck pace, however, issuing his second solo outing,
Private Eyes, and also guesting on the self-titled debut by Canadian
Led Zeppelin clones Moxy. Sadly, Bolin was found dead from a heroin
overdose on December 4, 1976, in Miami, FL (the day after opening
a show for Jeff Beck), at the age of 25. In the years following
his death, musicians continued to name-check Bolin as an influence,
while a career-spanning box set saw the light of day in 1989,
The Ultimate, and seven years later, a collection of rarities/outtakes,
From the Archives, Vol. 1.
Bolin's brother, Johnnie Bolin, began issuing a steady stream
of archival releases, via the Tommy Bolin Archives Inc. label,
and launched an extensive official website in his brother's memory,
www.tbolin.com. The '90s also saw the emergence of annual Tommy
Bolin tribute concerts — featuring performances of musicians who
played alongside the late guitarist 20 years earlier, as well
as such classic rock acts as Black Oak Arkansas.
This bio courtesy www.allmusic.com
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