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Good musicians come and go. Time extinguishes their memory into a corner of our minds. Then there are those who defy time, who challenge it to forget them. Such individuals capture the ever fleeting spotlight of fame and make it their own. Such individuals are called legends and legends never die. Tommy Bolin is such an individual and this site is dedicated to him.
I have been collecting Tommy Bolin since I met Bert, my husband, he's collecting everything since the "Teaser"/"Come Taste The Band" days so that means we have been busy for 33 years (my age:-)). This collection sheds a unique light on Tommy's life and musical career.
This is my tribute to Tommy Bolin and my gift to his fans.
www.myspace.com/tommybolintheultimate was created by Wilma Wildenberg (with a lot of help from Bert)
BIOGRAPHY:
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.
Tommy’s first band was called the Miserlous, but he was quickly heard by members of Denny & The Triumphs, an experienced group of teenagers organized by George Larvick, Sr., father of band members Brad and George Jr. Tommy was invited to jam, and soon joined the group. Not long after, bassist Denny Foote was sacked, and the band changed it’s name to Patch Of Blue with George Jr. taking over Denny’s bass spot. Patch of Blue lasted until mid-1967. Undeterred, Bolin relocated to Denver, CO, where he formed 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 4," "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 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.
Tommy's family home in Sioux City, Iowa
Tommy 6 months.
8 months old in Go Cart his dad made for him from a baby buggy.
First birthday, Sioux City, Iowa, 1952.
Imitating Elvis Presley at age 5, 1956.
Personal autograph from Elvis for Tommy.
Tommy 6 years old as a cowboy.
Tommy at age 6 in yard.
At his Aunt's house with brother Johnnie.
Tommy (on the right) 14 years old with Denny & the Triumphs.
Tommy (on the right) 14 years old with Patch Of Blue.
Tommy (on the right) 14 years old with Chateaux.
16 years old.
Tommy (on the left) 16 years old with American Standard.
Tommy with Zephyr, 1970.
Tommy and his mother, Sioux Falls, S. Dakota, 1971
Tommy with Energy, 1971.
Tommy with James Gang, 1973.
Tommy with Deep Purple (1975)
