Big Boy Bloater is a well known figure on the blues and roots music scenes … Read Full Bio ↴Big Boy Bloater is a well known figure on the blues and roots music scenes around the world – his unique and powerful style has thrilled audiences from London to Las Vegas and his performances have built an unrivalled profile and following, not only from the roots crowds but from anyone that has ever witnessed his amazing charisma and talent on stage.

As well as touring all over Europe, the middle-east, the USA and Canada, Big Boy Bloater has made numerous TV and radio appearances. He has recorded sessions for Jools Holland (broadcasting 9th May 2011), he’s recorded three sessions for Mark Lamarr’s late night Radio 2 show ‘God’s Jukebox’ (Nov 06, Dec 08 & Jan 10 – indeed when Mark heard Bloater was finishing his old band he made sure he fitted in one last session!) and two sessions for the Paul Jones R&B show. He spent a week as the house band on CH4’s Big Breakfast and has racked up many other TV and radio appearances both home and abroad. He has played in some of the most famous venues in the world and has appeared at many major festivals worldwide.

Bloater has played guitar for modern artists like Paloma Faith and Imelda May and continues to be a much sought after session player as well as being the guitarist of choice for many visiting 50′s Blues, R&B and R&R legends (see Reviews and Collaborations below).

Bloater has it all, writing, performing, singing and playing and he comes with an amazing pedigree – he has a career that most guitarists would die for, but he wants to continue to push the barriers and is constantly striving to produce bigger and better shows. He is a consummate professional and also a very nice guy!

The Limits

So with a big story and profile behind him, 2011 sees the launch of Big Boy Bloater’s exciting new project – The Limits.

With a new album release in March 2011, featuring many impressive guest artists (Imelda May, Snowboy, Dean Beresford (Richard Hawley Band), Al Gare (Imelda May Band)), Big Boy Bloater is building on his rhythm and blues roots, inventing a new, fresh sound – delivered in his unique, mesmerising and powerful style. He brings you brand new sounds from his own songbook, a stunning mix of swamp soul, dark blues and twang.

Reviews and Collaborations (and just a little bit more history)

Big Boy Bloater has also played guitar for R&B/rockabilly legends: Lloyd Price, Dennis Binder, Wanda Jackson, Ray Sharpe, Earl ‘Speedo’ Carrol, Harvey Fuqua, Eugene Pitt, Jimmy McCracklin, Rosco Gordon, Joe Houston, Big Jay McNeely, Hayden Thompson, Eddie Bo, Nappy Brown, Tommy Brown, Lazy Lester, Young Jessie, Big Al Downing, Billy Lee Riley, Frankie Ford, The Cleftones, The Teenagers, Jimmy Cavello, Hardrock Gunter, Roddy Jackson, Frankie Miller, Chuck Rio, Marvin & Johnny, The Eldorados, The Bobbettes, The Del Vikings, H-Bomb Ferguson, Hal Singer, The Medallions, Roy Gaines, Shirley Gunter, The Five Keys, Warren Storm, Barrence Whitfield, Eddy Clearwater, Bobby Brooks Hamilton (Jackie Wilson’s son), Sonny Burgess

That Little Bit More History

Big Boy Bloater has been immortalised under the chapters ‘R&B Guitar Icons’ in the following books –
‘Billboard Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Music’
‘Rock & Pop – the Complete Story’
‘Blues – the Complete Story’

A vinyl 7” single, (‘Whammy!’ b/w ‘Double Whammy!!’) was personally produced by Mark Lamarr in 2008, and has already become a collector’s item. 100 copies were given away in a major BBC Radio 2 competition in November 2008 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Mark Lamarr’s award-winning ‘Shake Rattle & Roll’ show.

And a Little Bit of Fun

Sir Paul McCartney once asked Big Boy Bloater to record with him at Abbey Road.

Bloater once sat on a judging panel alongside Paul Gambaccini, Shakin’ Stevens, Zoot Money and the guy playing Buddy Holly in the west end show.

Big Boy Bloater and the Limits Lyrics