Paul Butterfield was born in the heart of the blues, Chicago, IL on December 17, 1942. Trained as a classical flutist, Paul soon found his passion in blues harmonica. Frequenting the blues scene of his native Chicago, Paul jammed with the likes of Muddy Waters, garnering encouragement to continue keeping the blues alive with his exhilarating harp playing.
Paul began performing with Elvin Bishop and Nick Gravenites. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was formed in 1963. Consisting of Paul on harp and vocals, Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop on guitar, Mark Naftalin on organ and drummer Sam Lay and bassist Jerome Arnold from Howlin' Wolf's band. Performing at both Fillmores, Monterey Pop and Woodstock, the band brought Chicago blues to the psychedelic generation. \
Their self-titled debut for Elektra Records, released in 1965, featured many blues favorites that highlighted Paul's dynamic harmonica as well as the dual onslaught of Bloomfield/Bishop. Songs such as "Born In Chicago", "Blues With A Feeling" and "Shake Your Moneymaker" introduced the blues to the hippy contingent. The band also made an appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Bloomfield, Arnold & Lay helped Bob Dylan go electric for the first time at this historic festival.
Their follow-up album, 1966's "East-West" was recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago. It climbed as high as #65 on the Billboard pop charts. It continued to introduce the world to their fusion of blues, jazz and psychedelia.
Eventually, Lay left the group due to illness and was replaced by Billy Davenport. Bloomfield ultimately left to form "Electric Flag". The lineup continued to change as 1967 saw the release of
"The Resurrection Of Pigboy Crabshaw". This was their highest charting album, peaking at #52.
As the lineup changes continued, the band became more of a horn-driven & jazz based, big-band kind of sound. Their final album was the soul-influenced "Sometimes I Just Feel Like Smilin'", recorded in 1971. In 1972 Elektra released the retrospective "Golden Butter: The Best Of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band".
Following the dissolution of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Paul formed "Paul Butterfield's Better Days". Unfortunately, they were not, failing to achieve the commercial and critical success of his previous band. Better Days final album, "Live At Winterland Ballroom" was recorded in 1973.
Paul continued to perform both as a solo artist and a sideman. He played with Muddy Waters on Muddy's final Chess release. He appeared with The Band at their "Last Waltz" concert. He toured and recorded with former Band members following that appearance.
Paul passed away on May 4, 1987, from an accidental overdose in North Hollywood, CA. Bloomfield had proceeded him, also passing in California from an OD back in 1981. They were two stars that burned out much too soon. But for one brief moment they were the blues' brightest young stars. Until next time, boys and girls. Keep It Bluesy!
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