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Phil Alvin

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Phil Alvin
Phil Alvin - July 4, 2009, Irvine, California
Phil Alvin - July 4, 2009, Irvine, California
Background information
Born (1953-03-06) 6 March 1953 (age 71)
Downey, California, USA
GenresRock and roll, roots-rock
Occupation(s)Vocalist, musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, harmonica
WebsiteThe Blasters official website

Philip Joseph "Phil" Alvin (born March 6, 1953) is an American singer and guitarist. He is known primarily as the frontman of the roots rock band The Blasters.

Biography

Alvin grew up in Downey, California in a music-loving family where he and his younger brother Dave Alvin were exposed to blues, rockabilly, and country. Inspired and influenced by the music they grew up with, Phil and Dave formed the rock and roll band The Blasters in the late 1970s with fellow Downey residents Bill Bateman and John Bazz.[1] The group released four studio albums between 1980 and 1985. While never achieving mass market success on the music charts, the group's recordings and concerts drew critical acclaim and a cult following across the United States and Europe.[1]

In 1986, after The Blasters had disbanded, Alvin released a solo album, Un "Sung" Stories. He then returned to graduate school at California State University, Long Beach, where eventually earned a master's degree in mathematics and artificial intelligence.[2][3] Incidentally, before launching his music career, Alvin had taught mathematics at the same university.[4]

When The Blasters reconvened in the late 1980s without Dave Alvin, who was pursuing a solo career and other projects, Phil resumed his role as the band's lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and harmonica player.[3][4] In 1994, he released a second solo album, County Fair 2000.[3] In 2005, under Alvin's leadership, a revised configuration of The Blasters released 4-11-44, the first studio album from the group since 1985.[1] The band followed that effort in 2012 with the studio album, Fun On Saturday Night.[1]

In 2014, Phil and Dave Alvin released the album Common Ground, a selection of Big Bill Broonzy covers, as a duo.[5] It was the first studio collaboration by the Alvin brothers since the mid 1980s.[6][7]

The Blasters discography

  • American Music (1980)
  • The Blasters (1981)
  • Over There (1982)
  • Non Fiction (1983)
  • Hard Line (1985)
  • The Blasters Collection (1990)
  • Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings (2002)
  • The Blasters Live - Going Home (2004)
  • 4-11-44 (2005)
  • Fun On Saturday Night (2012)

The Blasters videography

Phil Alvin discography

  • Un "Sung" Stories (1986)
  • County Fair 2000 (1994)
  • Common Ground: Dave & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy (with Dave Alvin) (2014)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Sullivan, Denise "Artist Biography: The Blasters", Allmusic.com.
  2. ^ Cromelin, Richard (November 12, 1998). "A Blaster From the Past". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Ankeny, Jason "Artist Biography: Phil Alvin", Allmusic.com.
  4. ^ a b Willman, Chris (June 1, 1986). "Phil Alvin: New Blasters, Old Songs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  5. ^ Gallo, Phil (February 19, 2014). "Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Talk 'Common Ground' Album, Premiere 'All By Myself' Song: Listen Exclusively". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  6. ^ Dougherty, Steve (May 29, 2014). "A Torn-Up Band of Brothers, Finally on the Mend". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  7. ^ Lewis, Randy (June 6, 2014). "Dave and Phil Alvin, former Blasters mates, resurrect partnership". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 26, 2014.

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