Blues Traveler Biography

Blues Traveler is an American rock band formed in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1987. The band's original members included John Popper, Bobby Sheehan, Chan Kinchla, Brendan Hill, and Ben Wilson. After forming, the group moved to New York City and began performing at various venues, helping to ignite a new appreciation for jam music.

The band released their self-titled debut album in 1990, followed by Travelers & Thieves in 1991 and Save His Soul in 1992. Their fourth album, Four, was released in 1994 and spawned the hit singles "Hook" and "Run-Around," ultimately going multi-platinum. This success led to a nearly decade-long tour, during which they performed alongside notable artists such as Neil Young, Phish, and Dave Matthews.

Tragedy struck the band in 1999 when founding member Bobby Sheehan passed away due to an accidental overdose. Following his death, the band auditioned for a new bass player and selected Tad Kinchla, Chad's younger brother, to fill the position. They released the live album What You and I Have Been Through in 2002, as well as the compilation album Travelogue: Blues Traveler Classics.

In the subsequent years, Blues Traveler released several albums, including Bastardos! in 2005, Cover Yourself in 2007, and North Hollywood Shootout in 2008. The band appeared at Lollapalooza in 2008 and released the album Suzie Cracks the Whip in 2012. They have continued to perform and record music with their current lineup, which includes Brendan Hill, Chan Kinchla, John Popper, Tad Kinchla, and Ben Wilson.

The band has released several albums in recent years, including 25 in 2012, Blow Up the Moon in 2015, and Hurry Up & Hang Around in 2018. In 2021, they released the album Traveler's Blues, which features covers of classic blues songs and guest appearances by various artists, including Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and Keb' Mo'. The album was nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

Blues Traveler is known for their extensive use of segues in live performances and has been a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene. They allow fans to record their concerts and have a dedicated following. The band has continued to tour and release new music, celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2017 with a five-week US tour.