The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Members, Gear & Sound
Members
Select a The Paul Butterfield Blues Band band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
Roles:
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
No gear added -
See Gear
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
- See Gear
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
No gear added
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
-
See Gear
About
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was a pioneering American blues and blues-rock group formed in Chicago in the early 1960s. The band was fronted by harmonica virtuoso Paul Butterfield, whose gritty, soulful playing became a hallmark of their sound. Key members included the legendary Mike Bloomfield (guitar) and Elvin Bishop (guitar), both of whom contributed to the complex, layered guitar work that defined the band’s innovative approach to the blues. The lineup also featured Jerome Arnold (bass) and Sam Lay (drums), grounding the band’s sound with a vigorous rhythm section. Known for their fusion of electric blues, rock, and jazz, the group broke new ground by bringing blues to a broader, predominantly white rock audience while honoring its roots.
How to Sound Like The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band is renowned for a raw, electrifying sound that captures the essence of Chicago blues while venturing into the realms of rock and psychedelia. Their music is characterized by dynamic harmonica lines, intricate guitar interplay, and a driving rhythm section. Butterfield's harmonica provides a sharp, piercing edge, cutting through the mix with clarity and emotion. Bloomfield and Bishop's guitars often employed vintage amplifiers like the Ampeg Gemini I G-12 and 1960's Fender Super Reverb Combo Amp, which contributed to their warm, tube-driven tones. Their use of solid-body and semi-hollowbody guitars, such as the Fender Telecaster and Gibson ES-345, added to the band’s ability to blend clean melodic lines with rich, overdriven sounds, creating a vibrant and powerful sonic landscape.
Discography
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
1965
East-West
1966
The Resurrection Of Pigboy Crabshaw
1967
In My Own Dream
1968
Keep On Moving
1969
Sometimes I Just Feel Like Smilin'
1971
The Original Lost Elektra Sessions
1995
Strawberry Jam
1996
An Anthology: The Elektra Years
1997
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Live
2004
Complete Albums 1965-1980
2015
I Got My Mojo Working
2018
Get the The Paul Butterfield Blues Band Sound
Want to sound like The Paul Butterfield Blues Band? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.
