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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBISHOP, Elvin(b 21 Oct. '42, Tulsa OK) Blues guitarist. Met Paul Butterfield at U of Chicago, played parties as duo; Bishop played in bars on south and west sides, had been sideman for Magic Sam, Junior Wells and Hound Dog Taylor before joining Butterfield's band '65 until '68, by which time he'd regained lead guitar slot from Mike Bloomfield; last LP with Butterfield In My Own Dream '68 incl. first recorded composition 'Drunk Again'. Formed Elvin Bishop Group: lineup Art Stavro, bass; Steven Miller (ex-Linn County Band, not the famous guitar player), organ; John Chambers (ex-Loading Zone), drums; made first (eponymous) LP '69 for Bill Graham's Fillmore label. Miller stayed with Bishop to form fluctuating group, incl. at one point the Pointer Sisters. Three LPs for CBS/Epic plus best-of before signing with Phil Walden's Capricorn label. Bishop's material always strong on humour, but guitar prowess not matched by vocal ability; singer Mickey Thomas recruited for Capricorn debut Let It Flow '74 with one side rock, the other country (Bishop said, 'My number one infl. is Hank Williams'). Mellower direction continued through Juke Joint Jump '75, Struttin' My Stuff '76, latter yielding gorgeous bluesy ballad 'Fooled Around And Fell In Love' (no. 3 USA, 34 UK). Thomas's departure to Jefferson Starship April '79 (after Raisin' Hell) spelled the end of a chapter for Bishop, who adopted alter ego Pigboy Crabshaw when guesting on others' LPs. Compilations Tulsa Shuffle on Columbia, Sure Feels Good on Polydor; he came back on Alligator, with Big Fun '88, Don't Let The Bossman Get You Down! '91 and Ace In The Hole '95. Back To Back with Wet Willie is on K-tel. |