Walter Trout American musician, guitarist Date of Birth: 06.03.1951 Country: USA

Biography of Walter Trout

Walter Trout is an American musician, guitarist, singer, and songwriter, who is ranked among the top ten guitarists in the world. He was born in 1951 in Ocean City, New Jersey. His childhood was overshadowed by the constant threat of his parents' divorce, and he found solace in playing the guitar for many hours a day. However, credit should be given to his parents, who introduced him to jazz music from an early age. It is worth noting that Walter played the trumpet in the school orchestra.

Later on, as he started his professional career, Trout initially worked in New Jersey and then moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s. During this period, he had the opportunity to work as a sideman with Percy Mayfield, as well as with bands led by John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex. In 1981, Trout joined the blues band 'Canned Heat' as a solo guitarist, also playing the harmonica. It was during this time that he was noticed by John Mayall, who invited him to join the 'Bluesbreakers'.

Together with guitarist Coco Montoya, Trout became a core member of the 'Bluesbreakers' in the 1980s. He remained with the band until 1989, and it was during this period that he gained his first experience as a solo artist. At the age of 38, Walter decided that it was the right time to start his solo career. Within a year, he recorded his first album with his own band. It is worth mentioning that it was at this time that Walter gave up his not-so-innocent habits of alcohol and drugs, which he had been struggling with for many years. Carlos Santana's advice was instrumental in helping him overcome these challenges.

Interestingly, Walter's talent was recognized almost immediately in Europe, where he gained a huge number of fans, fan clubs, and other components of fame. However, in his homeland, the United States, Walter fought for recognition for many years without reaching the same level of popularity as in Europe. Furthermore, there was some confusion regarding the genre in which Walter played. Blues labels considered him a rock artist, while rock studios preferred to see him as a bluesman. As a result, neither party rushed to sign contracts with him. However, in Europe, the situation was completely different, and he was able to secure contracts.

It was only in 2000, when his double album 'Live Trout' was released, that Walter managed to break through. In 1998, he renamed his band from 'Walter Trout' to 'Walter Trout and the Radicals'. According to a BBC poll, Walter Trout was ranked among the top ten greatest guitarists of all time. He has recorded over twenty albums of his own and has also made numerous recordings with various groups.