Ever since Rock & Roll and Blues Hall Of Famer Elvin Bishop first hit the scene with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band back in 1965, he’s blazed his own musical trail. Whether he was playing raw, eye-popping blues, or penning the evergreen radio hit Fooled Around And Fell In Love, or touring the world for decades delivering his original, good-time countrified blues, Bishop has always inspired his fans with his rowdy guitar playing and witty, slice-of-life songs. Rolling Stone calls Bishop “a legendary guitarist” whose playing is “impeccable and spirited…a distinguished American player.”
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise appearances:
~ #39 Oct. 28 ~ Nov. 4, 2023 Mexican Riviera Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite “100 Years of Blues” and Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio
~ #37 Oct. 29 ~ Nov. 5, 2022 Sea Of Cortez Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio
~ #29 Oct. 21~28, 2017 Southern Caribbean
~ #26 Jan. 17~24, 2016 Eastern Caribbean w/ Special Guest Mickey Thomas
~ #23 Oct. 4~11, 2014 Mexican Riviera w/ Special Guest Roy Gaines
~ #20 Jan. 20~27, 2013 Eastern Caribbean w/ Special Guest Mickey Thomas
~ #17 Oct. 23~30, 2011 Sea Of Cortez w/ Special Guest Mickey Thomas
~ #15 Oct. 17~24, 2010 Pacific Elvin Bishop’s Raisin’ Hell Revue with Finis Tasby, John Nemeth, Terry Hanck & Kid Andersen
~ #13 Oct. 17~24, 2009 Pacific
~ #11 Oct. 5~12, 2008 Pacific
~ #9 Oct. 13~20, 2007 Pacific
Born in Glendale, CA on October 21, 1942, Bishop grew up on a farm in Iowa before relocating to Oklahoma when he was ten. He first got hooked on the blues listening to late night R&B radio as a teenager, and began collecting, listening to and absorbing blues music. Once Bishop realized that many of his favorite records were recorded in Chicago, he used his 1959 National Merit Scholarship as a way to get closer to his blues heroes by enrolling in the University of Chicago, whose campus was located near dozens of the South Side clubs.
After Elvin crossed paths with harmonica player and fellow University of Chicago student Paul Butterfield, the two began sitting in together at South Side clubs, often jamming with Buddy Guy and Otis Rush. They first formed The Paul Butterfield Blues Band in 1963, adding Jerome Arnold on bass, Sam Lay on drums and later Mark Naftalin on keyboards. Prior to cutting their debut LP in 1965, Michael Bloomfield joined the group as second lead guitarist, creating a groundbreaking, all-star band. The self-titled The Paul Butterfield Blues Band introduced electric Chicago blues to the rock audience for the first time. With the release of East/West in 1966, the band’s popularity hit an all-time high. Their straight Chicago blues sounds drifted further into progressive and experimental rock ‘n’ roll and—with two world-class lead guitarists on board—the band helped pave the way for groups featuring multiple virtuoso guitarists, like The Allman Brothers Band and Derek and the Dominos. The band, including Bishop, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2015.