was born on 1st August 1951 in Sioux City Iowa. He started out as a hopeful drummer. He even tried the piano before switching to guitar at the age of 13. He later moved to Denver, Colorado, where he formed/joined the band American Standard.
0001
1964 to 1965
Denny & the Triumphs
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Steve Bridenbaugh (kbr); Denny Foote (bss); Brad Larvick (drm); Brad Miller (gtr); Dave Stokes (vcl).
A group comprising of high school mates doing covers. They played anything and everything. Denny was later sacked, after which they transformed themselves into A Patch Of Blue.
0002
1965 to 1967
A Patch Of Blue
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Steve Bridenbaugh (kbr); Brad Larvick (drm); George Larvick (bss); Brad Miller (gtr); Dave Stokes (vcl).
This is what remained of Denny & Triumphs after Denny had been sacked.
0003
Sometime during 1967 and/or 1968
American Standard
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Jeff Cook (vcl); amongst others.
A Denver-based local group named "Crosstown Bus" kicked their own guitar player after hearing Bolin play. Bolin was asked to join and they became American Standard.
0004
Sometime during 1967 and/or 1968
Lonnie Mack
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Lonnie Mack (gtr); and whoever else.
Bolin left Denver for a short tour in Cincinnatti as part of Lonnie Mack's backing group before returning to Denver and co-founding Ethereal Zephyr.
0005
1968 to 1971
(Ethereal) Zephyr
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Robbie Chamberlain (drm); Candy Givens (vcl/pno); David Givens (bss/vcl); John Faris (kbr/sxp/vcl); and probably others too at various occasions.
They began as Ethereal Zephyr. They dropped the "Ethereal" after just a few months.
Albums & singles Zephyr [lp] : US 1970 Probe CPLP 4510 Zephyr [lp] : UK 19-- Beat Goes On Records BGOLP-41 Zephyr [cd] : UK 19-- Beat Goes On Records BGOCD-41
Material from above appears on... Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [3lp] : Germany 1989 Geffen 924248-1 Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [2cd] : US 1989 Geffen 2-24248
0006
1971 to 1972
Zephyr
People involved Bobby Berge (drm); Tommy Bolin (gtr); Candy Givens (vcl/pno); David Givens (bss/vcl); John Faris (kbr/sxp/vcl).
Albums & singles Going Back To Colorado [lp] : US 1971 Warner WS 1897 Going Back To Colorado [lp] : Germany 1971 Warner Bros WS1879-46060 Going Back To Colorado [cd] : US 1987 Warner 1897 Going Back To Colorado [cd] : Japan 199- Warner Bros WPCR-32
Material from above appears on... Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [3lp] : Germany 1989 Geffen 924248-1 Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [2cd] : US 1989 Geffen 2-24248
0007
1972 to 197?
Energy
People involved Bobby Berge (drm); Tommy Bolin (gtr); Stanley Sheldon (bss); Jeremy Steig (flt); Tom Stephenson (kbr).
Energy was a jazz-rock fusion group who just couldn't get a record deal. They were unfortunately considered too 'uncommercial' with extensive solos and improvisations. They did, however, manage to gain a considerable reputation as a high-quality backing group. Thus they got numerous gig opportunities with e.g. John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry, Eddie Gomez, Sugar Cane Harris, Albert King (who became somewhat of a mentor for Bolin), and others.
Albums & singles The Energy Radio Broadcasts [2cd] : US 2002? Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD-10/11 Tommy Bolin & Energy Live [cd] : US 2003 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACS-5
Material from above appears on... The Archives' Bottom Shelf Vol. 1 [cd] : US 1996 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD-3
0008
197? to 1973
Energy
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Jeff Cook (vcl); Gil Evans (drm); Stan Sheldon (bss); Jeremy Steig (flt).
Energy didn't release any albums. They did however record some studio material, which were "posthumously" released.
Albums & singles Energy [cd] : US 2002? Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD-13
0009
May/August 1973
Zephyr
People involved Bobby Berge (drm); Tommy Bolin (gtr); Candy Givens (vcl); David Givens (bss); John Faris (kbr).
Zephyr got back together for a reunion gig in May at Art's Bar & Grill, an event that was recorded. Apparently they got together for a second gig also in August.
Albums & singles Live at Art's Bar & Grill [cd] : US Mar 1997 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD-6
0010
Sometime during 1973
Billy Cobham
People involved Ray Barretto (cng); Tommy Bolin (gtr); Ron Carter (bss); Billy Cobham (prc); Joe Farrell (flt/sxp); Jam Hammer (pno/snt); Jimmy Owens (fhr); Lee Sklar (bss); John Tropea (gtr).
Bolin went to New York to participate in the recordings of a would-be solo album by Jeremy Steig. During demo recordings for this album, Cobham heard Bolin and offered him a job on his forthcoming album. Bolin guests on all but two tracks. The ultimate jazz-rock fusion album!
Albums & singles Stratus Part 1 (mono)/Stratus Part 2 (stereo) [promo] : US 1973? Atlantic 45-2998 Spectrum [lp] : US Oct 1973 Atlantic K 40506 Spectrum [cd] : US/Europe
Material from above appears on... Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [3lp] : Germany 1989 Geffen 924248-1 Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [2cd] : US 1989 Geffen 2-24248 From The Archives Vol. 2 [cd] : US 1997 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 7
0011
August 1973 to October 1974
The James Gang
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Jim Fox (drm); Roy Kenner (vcl); Dale Peters (bss); and possibly others as well.
Besides James Gang, Bolin also played with other guys during time of the road, e.g. a band called the Good Rats. Apparently, tapes from these 'extra-curricular' activities do actually exist - though nothing official so far.
Albums & singles Bang [lp] : US Nov 1973 Atco K 50028 Standing In The Rain/From Out Of Nowhere : UK 1973 Atco 45-6966 Standing In The Rain (mono)/Standing In The Rain (stereo) [promo single] : US 1973 Atco 45-6966 Got no time for trouble/Must be love [pic single] : Yugoslavia 1973 Atlantic ATL 19648 Must Be Love/Got No Time For Trouble [promo single] : UK 1973 Atlantic K10432 Must Be Love/Got No Time For Trouble : Spain 1974 Hispa Vox 45-1045 Miami [lp] : US Jul 1974 Atco K 50068 Miami [lp] : Japan 1974 Atlantic P-8501A Cruisin' Down The Highway (mono)/Cruisin' Down The Highway (stereo) [promo single] : US 1974 Atco 45-7006
Material from above appears on... Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [3lp;] : Germany 1989 Geffen 924248-1 Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [2cd] : US 1989 Geffen 2-24248 From The Archives Vol. 2 [cd] : US 1997 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 7
0012
Sometime during 1974
Tommy Bolin & Friends
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Russell Bizet (drm); Jeff Cook (vcl); Archie Shelby (prc); Stanley Sheldon (bss).
Bolin gigged at Ebbets Field in Denver, Colorado, during June. He probably played other places and times too but at least the Denver gig was recorded.
Albums & singles Live at Ebbets Field, 1974 [cd] : US 1996 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 1
Material from above appears on... From The Archives Vol. 1 [cd] : UK 1996 RPM Records RPM 158 From The Archives Vol. 1 [cd] : UK 1999? RPM Records/Purple Records PUR 315 The Archives' Bottom Shelf Vol. 1 [cd] : US 1996 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 3
0013
Sometime during 1974
Rainbow Canyon
People involved Norman Conton, Chester Florence, Gregory Grandillo, Bill Hanna, Alan Howarth and Buddy Maver, together with Tommy Bolin (gtr).
Bolin guested on one track only, viz. "Rollin' In The Rockies". He did it as a favour to the producer James Fox who had earlier been in James Gang with Bolin.
Albums & singles Rollin' In The Rockies [lp] : US 1975 Capitol Records 11272
0014
Sometime during 1974
Dr. John
People involved Dr John (pno/vcl?), together with Tommy Bolin (gtr) and others.
Bolin did some guitar work for an album called Hollywood Be Thy Name, but his bits were apparently re-recorded later by others. Thus Bolin's guitar is not heard on the published album.
0020
During 1974
Moxy
People involved Earl Johnson (gtr); Terry Juric (bss); Buzz Shearman (vcl); Bill Wade (drm); with sessioners Terry Stephenson (kbr) and Tommy Bolin (gtr).
Tommy Bolin does all but two guitar solos on Moxy's first album (known as "The Black Album"). All rythm guitar and two of the solos (those on "Sail On Sail Away" and "Can't You See I'm A Star") were performed by Earl Johnson. He was actually supposed to have done all the guitar parts, but got into a disagreement with the producer and was consequently tossed out of the studio. Tommy Bolin, being nearby, was asked to fill in for him.
Contrary to what you might have read on these pages earlier (and perhaps elsewhere as well), Tommy Bolin does not play on Moxy's second album. Nor does Buddy Caine perform on Moxy's first album, although he is credited on the album for being a full-time member (he joined after the recordings had finished).
Albums & singles Moxy [lp] : US 1975 Mercury SRM-1-1087 Moxy [lp] : Canada 19-- Ahed AS-8230
Material from above appears on... Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [3lp] : Germany 1989 Geffen 924248-1 Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [2cd] : US 1989 Geffen 2-24248
0015
December 1974
Alphonse Mouzon
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); Henry Davis (bss); Jay Graydon (gtr); Alphonse Mouzon (drm/vcl/kbr); Jerry Peters (kbr); Lee Ritenour (gtr).
With Bolin guesting on 5 tracks: "Snow Bound", "Carbon Doxide", "Golden Rainbows", "Nitroglycerin" and a studio jam called "The Real Thing" which, however, wasn't released until the 1993 CD reissue.
Albums & singles Mind Transplant [lp] : US Mar 1975 Blue Note BN-LA 398 G Mind Transplant [cd; extra material] : UK 1993 RPM Records RPM 116 Happiness Is Loving You/Nitroglycerin : US Mar 1975 Blue Note BN XW648
Material from above appears on... Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [3lp] : Germany 1989 Geffen 924248-1 Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [2cd] : US 1989 Geffen 2-24248 The Deep Purple Family Album [cd] : UK 1993 Connoisseur RP VSOP CD 187
0016
April to October 1975
Tommy Bolin
People involved Bob Berge (drm); Tommy Bolin (gtr/vcl/pno); Phil Collins (prc); Rafael Cruz (prc); Sammy Figueroa (prc); David Foster (kbr); Ron 'The Wizard' Fransen (pno); Jan Hammer (drm/kbr); Glenn Hughes (bvc); Jeff Porcaro (drm); Prairie Prince (drm); Dave Sanborn (sxp); Stanley Sheldon (bss); Paul Stallworth (bss); Michael Walden (drm); and the Sniffettes [= Tommy Bolin; Dave Brown; Lee Kiefer] (bvc).
Initially Atlantic had offered Bolin a solo deal, but after some disagreements about the choice of a producer, Bolin decided that he would fair better doing some demos by himself instead. He got help from a lot of friends, incl. members of the Beach Boys (!) who helped him furnish his singing technique. The album was subsequently recorded 'for real' during May/June 1975, during which time Bolin was recruited to Deep Purple.
Albums & singles The Grind/Homeward Strut : UK 1975 Atlantic K10730 Homeward Strut/The Grind : Italy 1975 Warner Atlantic W10730 The Grind (mono)/The Grind (stereo) [promo single] : US 1975 Nemperor NE-004 Savannah Woman (mono)/Savannah Woman (stereo) [promo single] : US 1975 Nemperor NE-005 Teaser [lp] : US Nov 1975 Atlantic K 50208 Teaser [cd] : UK 19-- Epic 462533-2 Teaser [cd] : Europe 199- Nemperor/Epic EPC 468016-2
Material from above appears on... Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [3lp] : Germany 1989 Geffen 924248-1 Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [2cd] : US 1989 Geffen 2-24248 From The Archives Vol. 1 [cd] : UK 1996 RPM Records RPM 158 From The Archives Vol. 1 [cd] : UK 1999? RPM Records/Purple Records PUR 315 From The Archives Vol. 2 [cd] : US 1997 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 7
0017
June 1975 to March 1976
Deep Purple Mk IV
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr); David Coverdale (vcl); Glenn Hughes (bss/vcl); Jon Lord (kbr); Ian Paice (drm).
Bolin was recruited to step in for Blackmore. They managed one album, Come Taste the Band (1975). Although his participation had its clear highlights, his drug addiction eventually took its toll. After a disasterous concert at Wembley in March 1976, Deep Purple decided to give it up.
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr/vcl); Norma Jean Bell (sxp/bvc); Mark Stein (kbr/bvc); Reggie McBride (bss); Narada Michael Walden (drm).
Toured the US - they visited Ebbets Field during May. TBB also did a package tour with Steve Marriott and Robin Trower.
Albums & singles Live at Ebbets Field, 1976 [cd] : US 1996 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 2 First Time Live [cd] : US 2001 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD-18
0019
May to August 1976
Tommy Bolin (Band)
People involved Carmine Appice (drm); Norma Jean Bell (sxp/prc/bvc); Bobby Berge (drm); Tommy Bolin (gtr/pno/vcl); Bobbye Hall (prc); Reggie McBride (bss/bvc); Mark Stein (kbr/bvc); and a string section arranged by Del Newman.
Albums & singles Private Eyes [lp] : US Sep 1976 CBS Records 81612 Private Eyes [cd] : US 199- Columbia CK 34329 Shake the Devil/Hello Again : Australia 1976 CBS Records BA222284
Material from above appears on... Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [3lp] : Germany 1989 Geffen 924248-1 Tommy Bolin - The Ultimate... [2cd] : US 1989 Geffen 2-24248 From The Archives Vol. 2 [cd] : US 1997 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 7 Alive On Long Island [cd] : US 2003 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACS-4
0021
August to October 1976
Tommy Bolin Band
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr/vcl), with: Norma Jean Bell (sxp/bvc); Johnnie Bolin (drm); Jimmy Haslip (bss); Mark Stein (kbr/vcl).
Bell, Bolin and Stein formed the nucleus of the touring band, but others also appeared at various gigs. They toured the US, supporting e.g. Jeff Beck Group. On 20th September 1976, they recorded for the King Biscuit's Flower Hour in Albany NY. On 22nd September 1976, they did a promotional session for WBCN-FM Radio at the Northern Lights Recording Studio.
Albums & singles Live At Northern Lights Recording Studios [cd] : US 1996 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 4 The Tommy Bolin Band Live 9/19/76 [cd] : US 2002? Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD-22
Material from above appears on... From The Archives Vol. 1 [cd] : UK 1996 RPM Records RPM 158 From The Archives Vol. 1 [cd] : UK 1999? RPM Records/Purple Records PUR 315 From The Archives Vol. 2 [cd] : US 1997 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 7
0022
November to December 1976
Tommy Bolin Band
People involved Tommy Bolin (gtr/vcl), with: Norma Jean Bell (sxp/bvc); Johnnie Bolin (drm); Marcus Craney (drm); Max Gronenthal (kbr); Jimmy Haslip (bss); Mark Stein (kbr/vcl).
Albums & singles Live At Miami Jai Alai - The Final Show [cd] : US 2003 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACS-3
0023
December 4th, 1976
A tragic Saturday morning in Miami, during a US tour supporting Jeff Beck, Bolin's girlfriend called the police telling them she had found Bolin seemingly unconcious and was unable to wake him up. His death was later officially declared as caused by 'multiple drug intoxication' (or heroin OD).
Don't miss... In his own words (interviews) [2cd] : US 1997 Tommy Bolin Archives TBACD 8/9