The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and related artists > Backstage

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band changed the course of rock 'n' roll history. With the 1965 release of their self-titled debut album, they introduced a young white America to the blues and showcased Michael Bloomfield, a budding guitarist who was ofte...more

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band changed the course of rock 'n' roll history. With the 1965 release of their self-titled debut album, they introduced a young white America to the blues and showcased Michael Bloomfield, a budding guitarist who was often compared to Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Paul Butterfield was an innovative harmonica player who perfected his Chicago style as a teen prior to forming a band with Jerome Arnold, Sam Lay and Elvin Bishop. Bloomfield and organist Mark Naftalin would soon complete the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. The band made history in '65 with that summer's Newport Folk Festival where Bloomfield's electric guitar backed up Bob Dylan as he famously plugged in. The rest of the '60s and the '70s saw a series of releases that targeted a devoted cult following of the band. Paul Butterfield succumbed to alcohol abuse in '87....less