The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues musician, and one of the most innovative harmonica players of the Chicago-originated electric blues style.

Born in Chicago, Butterfield began

Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues musician, and one of the most innovative harmonica players of the Chicago-originated electric blues style.

Born in Chicago, Butterfield began performing in the Chicago area as a teen, and he soon formed a band with Jerome Arnold and Sam Lay (both of Howlin' Wolf's band), and Elvin Bishop. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was signed to Elektra Records after adding Michael Bloomfield as lead guitarist. Their original debut album was scrapped and re-recorded after adding organist Mark Naftalin, Finally, their self-titled debut, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was released in 1965 (1965 in music). It had an immediate impact serving as a wakeup call for a generation of musicians. Soon after the first album, Lay became sick and was replaced by Billy Davenport on drums. The Butterfield Band's second album, East-West (1966 in music) reflected the music scene's interest in sitar great Ravi Shankar and other eastern musicians. It was also a critically acclaimed hit.