Studebaker John
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Studebaker John | |
|---|---|
 Studebaker John performing in August 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | John Grimaldi November 5, 1952 |
| Genres | Chicago blues[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, harmonica player, singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, harmonica |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | Retread Records, Avanti, Double Trouble, Blind Pig, Evidence, Delmark |
John Grimaldi (born November 5, 1952) , better known by his stage name Studebaker John is an American blues guitarist and harmonica player.[1] He is a practitioner of the Chicago blues style, with his stage name arising from an automobile he once owned.[1]
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Studebaker John's father was an amateur musician, and he played early in life at the Maxwell Street flea market.[1] Grimaldi began playing harmonica at age seven. In the 1970s he put together his band, the Hawks, and worked as a construction worker while recording and performing on the side.[1] He recorded extensively for Blind Pig Records in the 1990s.[2] Grimaldi counts Hound Dog Taylor as the reason he began playing slide guitar.[3] Atom Egoyan chose three of John's songs for his 1993 film Calendar, and included two songs in his 1994 film Exotica. In 1995, John played on Little Mack Simmons', High & Lonesome album.[3]
