
Blues Traveler is an American rock band formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. They are known for their extensive use of segues in live performances and could be considered a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene of the 1990s. The band is made up of singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla, and keyboardist Ben Wilson. The band has released multiple albums, including their self-titled debut in 1990, and their second album, Travelers and Thieves, in 1991. They have also had several hit singles, such as But Anyway, Run-Around, and Hook. Blues Traveler is known for their high-energy live performances and have been described as a relentless live performer. The band has also been praised for their ability to capture the magic of their live performances in their albums, with their double album Live from the Fall released in 1996 being described as the best live album in existence.
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Blues Traveler's live performances are considered to be unique
Blues Traveler is an American rock, blues, and jam band formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. Their live performances are considered unique for several reasons. Firstly, the band is known for their extensive use of segues in their live shows, seamlessly transitioning between songs to create a dynamic and flowing concert experience. This technique is a key part of their appeal and has earned them a dedicated fan base.
Another factor that makes their live performances stand out is their willingness to encourage fans to record and trade live performances. This has resulted in a vast archive of live recordings available online, spanning their entire career. The band also sells recordings of their performances immediately after the show, providing fans with a unique memento of the night.
Additionally, Blues Traveler has a reputation for being relentless live performers, often playing nightly for months at a time without sacrificing the quality of their shows. Their live performances are known for their high energy and the band's exceptional musical skills, with frontman John Popper's harmonica-playing often singled out as a highlight. Their blend of psychedelic rock, old-school blues, and on-stage jamming creates a unique and unpredictable concert experience, even for dedicated fans.
The band's annual Independence Day performances at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado have become a highly anticipated tradition, with fans travelling from all over the United States to attend. These shows are known for their spectacular visuals, including fireworks, and the band often uses these performances to debut new songs or bring back older tracks, ensuring that each show feels fresh and unique.
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The band is known for their extensive use of segues
Blues Traveler is an American rock band formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. They are known for their extensive use of segues in live performances and are considered a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene of the 1990s. The band's live performances often include seamless transitions between songs, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for their audience. This style has become a signature of their shows and has contributed to their reputation as talented live performers.
The band's early days were marked by a relentless touring schedule, with the group playing gigs along the New York club circuit, sometimes nightly. This dedication to live performances helped them build a devoted fan base and gain exposure in the music industry. Their live shows were so well-received that television host David Letterman introduced them as "my favorite band," and they have since made more appearances on *The Late Show* than any other musical artist.
In addition to their seamless segues, Blues Traveler is renowned for their energetic and dynamic live performances. The band's live shows are known for their high-energy sets, with the musicians showcasing their exceptional skills and passion for their craft. John Popper, the band's harmonicist, singer, and guitarist, is particularly acclaimed for his harmonica-playing skills, which have been described as "second to none."
The band's live performances also feature a mix of original songs and creative covers. While they have faced some criticism in recent years for including too many covers in their sets, their ability to incorporate diverse music into their shows showcases their versatility and willingness to experiment.
Overall, Blues Traveler's extensive use of segues, coupled with their energetic performances and creative song choices, has established them as one of the most renowned live acts in the jam band scene, both in their early years and continuing into the present.
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Fans are allowed to record their concerts
Blues Traveler is an American rock band formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. The band comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla, and keyboardist Ben Wilson.
Blues Traveler is known for its extensive use of segues in live performances and is considered a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene of the 1990s. The band actively encourages fans to record and trade live performances, as long as no money changes hands and no profit is made. They have also given permission for these recordings to be hosted on websites such as Live Music Archive and eTree.org.
On recent tours, Blues Traveler has sold recordings of the night's performance to attendees, who can pre-purchase a copy of the show until 30 minutes into the performance and then pick up the CD after the show.
The band has a strong live performance history, with a relentless touring schedule in the early 1990s. They are known for their annual Independence Day shows at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, which they have headlined every year since 1994, except in 1999 and 2020 due to health and COVID-19 reasons, respectively.
Their live performances often include a mix of classic songs, new releases, and older songs that have fallen out of rotation. Blues Traveler's live shows are known for their unique, improvised on-stage jamming, with a blend of psychedelic rock and old-school blues.
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Blues Traveler is an American rock, blues and jam band
Blues Traveler is an American rock, blues, and jam band formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987 by John Popper and Brendan Hill. They are known for their extensive use of segues in live performances and can be considered a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene of the 1990s, spearheading the H.O.R.D.E. touring music festival.
The band's original name was The Establishment, and they produced a few cassette tape demos, including some original songs and upbeat covers of "Gloria" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." The band moved to New York City and performed on the club circuit, making a name for themselves as relentless live performers.
Blues Traveler signed with A&M Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1990, followed by "Travelers and Thieves" in 1991. In the same year, lead singer John Popper had a dangerous motorcycle accident, but the band soon resumed touring and released their third studio album, "Save His Soul."
In 1994, Blues Traveler had their mainstream breakthrough with their fourth album, "Four," despite poor initial sales. The Grammy Award-winning single "Run-Around" became one of the year's most popular and best-selling singles, and the album "Four" gained widespread popularity. Following this success, the band played at Woodstock '94 and opened for the Rolling Stones. To capture the energy of their live performances, they released the double album "Live from the Fall" in 1996, followed by their fifth album, "Straight on Till Morning," in 1997.
In 1999, the band suffered a tragedy when bassist Bobby Sheehan was found dead in his home from an accidental drug overdose. The remaining members of Blues Traveler decided to continue and held auditions for a new bassist, ultimately choosing Tad Kinchla, the brother of guitarist Chan Kinchla. Along with new keyboardist Ben Wilson, the band released an EP, "Decisions of the Sky: A Traveler's Tale of Sun and Storm", followed by their sixth album, "Bridge," in 2001.
Over the years, Blues Traveler has continued to tour and release new music, including live albums, cover albums, and original studio albums. They are known for their high-energy live performances, blending psychedelic rock, old-school blues, and improvised jamming. The band has a tradition of performing at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on Independence Day, which has attracted fans from across the United States.
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The band formed in Princeton, New Jersey in 1987
Blues Traveler is an American rock band that was formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. The band is known for its extensive use of segues in live performances and is considered a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene of the 1990s. The group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla, and keyboardist Ben Wilson.
The genesis of Blues Traveler can be traced back to the mid-1980s when John Popper and Brendan Hill formed a high school garage band called The Establishment, later renamed the Blues Band. They produced a few cassette tape demos and performed upbeat covers of "Gloria" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". Chan Kinchla joined the group as a guitarist, and Popper met bassist Bobby Sheehan, who became a member of the Blues Band in 1987.
The quartet held a basement jam session, later called the Black Cat Jam, which inspired the core grooves for several songs on their first album. The group then changed its name to Blues Traveler, inspired by the film Ghostbusters, and the members moved to New York City after graduating from high school. They enrolled in music programs at The New School and New York University while also playing gigs along the New York club circuit.
Blues Traveler signed their first recording contract with A&M Records in 1990 and released their self-titled debut album the same year. Their song "But Anyway" gained airplay on college radio stations. The band also attracted the attention of David Graham, the son of renowned concert promoter Bill Graham, who became their manager. Blues Traveler embarked on a rigorous touring schedule, expanding their reach up and down the East Coast.
In 1991, they released their second album, Travelers and Thieves. Unfortunately, Bill Graham passed away that year, and the band released a live EP, On Tour Forever, as a tribute to him. They also made their first mainstream national appearance through television host David Letterman, who introduced them as his "favorite band."
Blues Traveler went on to record their third album, Save His Soul, in 1992. However, the recording was temporarily interrupted by John Popper's motorcycle accident. Despite this setback, the band resumed touring, and their fourth album, titled "Four," became their mainstream breakthrough in 1994. The album produced the hit singles "Run-Around" and "Hook," which sold several million copies. "Run-Around" won a Grammy Award and broke the record for most weeks on the chart.
Over the years, Blues Traveler has continued to tour extensively and has released numerous albums, including their latest, "Traveler's Blues" (2021), which was nominated for "Best Traditional Blues Album" at the 2022 Grammy Awards. The band has been praised for their live performances, improvisational style, and unique sound, solidifying their place as one of the most influential American bands of all time.
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Frequently asked questions
Blues Traveler are a rock, blues and jam band formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. They gained a reputation as relentless live performers and have been described as "a great live album". They are known for their extensive use of segues in live performances and could be considered a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene of the 1990s. They have also been described as "very good" and "amazing live".
Blues Traveler's live performances feature a blend of psychedelic rock, old-school blues and habitual improvised on-stage jamming. The band is known for its extensive use of segues in live performances. Their performances are also known to be unique, even when playing nightly for months at a time.
Blues Traveler's live setlists are known to include a mix of classic songs like 'Save His Soul' and 'Love of My Life', as well as covers of songs like Jimi Hendrix's 'The Star-Spangled Banner' and Van Morrison's 'Gloria'. They also play their hit singles, 'But Anyway', 'Run-Around' and 'Hook'.