Tommy Bolin (Zephyr/Deep Purple)

Name: Thomas Richard Bolin
Born/Died: 1st August, 1951 (Sioux City, Iowa) - 4th December, 1976

Profile: He was an American-born guitarist who played with Zephyr (from 1969 to 1971), The James Gang (from 1973 through 1974), Deep Purple (from 1975 to 1976) and his solo work.

History: Tommy interest in music began when he used to watched a TV show called "Caravan of Stars" where he saw Elvis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, he then knew he wanted to be a musician just like them. He started by playing drums for 2 years, keyboards then electric guitar.

He began playing in bands around Sioux City as a youth before moving to Colorado, in his late teens. He had played in a various bands such as "American Standard" and "Ethereal Zephyr". When record companies became interested, the name was shortened to "Zephyr".

In 1972 Tommy, at the age of 20, formed the fusion jazz-rock-blues band "Energy". While the band never released an album during his lifetime, several recordings have been released posthumously. A year after that, he joined "The James Gang" and had 2 records with them, after the band's tour in Miami, Tommy wanted out of the band and went on to do session work for numerous rock bands and also with a number of jazz artists.

In 1974, Tommy signed with Nemperor records to do a solo album, where he decided to do his own vocals as well. During the recording of this album, he was contacted to replace Ritchie Blackmore in "Deep Purple".

In the start of 1975 Tommy contributed some studio guitar assistance to Canadian band "Moxy" during the recording of their debut album, later with the released of his first solo album in the same year. He then toured with "Deep Purple" in 1975 - 1976, after "Deep Purple" disbanded in March, 1976, Tommy was back on the road with his solo band and planning a second solo album. However, his final show, in which he opened for Jeff Beck, in Miami, encored with a rendition of "Post Toastee."

Influences: Django Reinhardt, Carl Perkins, Jimi Hendrix, Albert King and the "Rolling Stones".

Axology: Fender 1963 Stratocaster, Fender Stratocaster with Telecaster headstock, Ibanez Explorer and Yamaha Acoustic guitar

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjjoKCWIXiA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsRkBokQH2E