For the astronaut, see Michael J. Bloomfield

Michael Bernard Bloomfield (July 28, 1943 - February 15, 1981) was an American musician, guitarist, and composer, born in Chicago, Illinois, into a well-off Jewish family on Chicago's North Side. The Bloomfield family fortune had been built from his father's invention, the sugar dispenser ("shaker") with a flapper lid, which the family also manufactured and distributed, along with salt & pepper shakers, and the classic revolving pie display, developed by his uncle. It is documented that Bloomfield turned his back on the fortune he could inherit and turned his focus to music, in particular the blues.^{[citation needed]} is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... “Blues music” redirects here. ... Blues Rock or Blues-rock is a fusion genre of music which combines elements of the blues with rock and roll. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... See also: 1963 in music, other events of 1964, 1965 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 1 - Top of the Pops premieres on BBC television. ... See also: Musical groups established in 1981 Record labels established in 1981 list of years in music // January 10 - Revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadways Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith February 14 - Billy Idol leaves the band Generation... the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, 1966 Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 - May 4, 1987) was an American blues musician, and one of the most innovative harmonica players of the electric blues Chicago-originated style. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... The Electric Flag, formed in 1967, was a blues rock soul group led by guitarist Mike Bloomfield, keyboardist Barry Goldberg, and bassist Harvey Brooks. ... Astronaut Bruce McCandless II using a manned maneuvering unit outside the U.S. Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984. ... ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... “Instrumentalist” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... A composer is a person who writes music. ... Flag Seal Nickname: The Windy City Motto: Urbs In Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location Location in Chicagoland and northern Illinois Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Illinois Cook, DuPage Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 606. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination...

Early Years

During his teenage years Bloomfield went to blues clubs on Chicago's South Side and found his true calling; here he met Paul Butterfield and Elvin Bishop, and in 1964 joined the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, which included Howlin' Wolf rhythm section alumni Sam Lay and Jerome Arnold. Their electric Chicago blues inspired a generation of white bluesmen, including John Mayall & the Blues Breakers^{[citation needed]}. Bloomfield's work on the the band's self-titled debut, and the subsequent record East-West, brought wide acclaim to the young guitarist. Especially popular was "East-West's" thirteen-minute title track, an instrumental combining elements of blues, jazz, psychedelic rock, and the classical Indian raga. Bloomfield's innovative solos were at the forefront of the ground-breaking piece. He had been inspired to create "East-West" after an all-night LSD trip during which, he later told his bandmates, he came to "understand" how Indian music worked.^{[citation needed]} Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and one of the earliest white exponents of the Chicago-originated electric blues style. ... Elvin Bishop (born October 21, 1942) is an American blues and rock and roll musician and guitar player. ... the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, 1966 Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 - May 4, 1987) was an American blues musician, and one of the most innovative harmonica players of the electric blues Chicago-originated style. ... Chester Arthur Burnett (June 10, 1910 – January 10, 1976), better known as Howlin Wolf or sometimes, The Howlin Wolf, was an influential blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player. ... John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton album cover John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers was a pioneering British blues band that included such luminaries as: Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce (both later in Cream), Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood (later all in Fleetwood Mac), Mick Taylor (later in... Paul Butterfield Blues Band is a 1965 album by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. ... old logo current logo Eastwest Records was started in 1955 as a subsidiary label of Atlantic Records. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Hindustani Classical Music is an Indian classical music tradition that took shape in northern India in the 13th and 14th centuries AD from existing religious, folk, and theatrical performance practices. ... Raga (rāg /राग (Hindi), raga (anglicised from rāgaḥ/रागः (Sanskrit)) or rāgam /ராகம் (Tamil)) are the melodic modes used in Indian classical music. ... Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly called LSD, LSD-25, or acid. ...

Bloomfield was also a session musician, gaining wide recognition for his work with Bob Dylan during his first explorations into "electric" music. Bloomfield's sound was a major part of Dylan's change of style, especially on Highway 61 Revisited; his guitar style melded the blues influence with rock and folk. With fellow Butterfield members Jerome Arnold and Sam Lay, Bloomfield appeared at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 backing Dylan for his controversial first live electric performance. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Sideman. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Highway 61 Revisited is Bob Dylans sixth studio album, released in 1965 by Columbia Records. ... “Blues music” redirects here. ... The Newport Folk Festival is an annual folk-oriented music festival founded in 1959 by George Wein, founder of the already-well-established Newport Jazz Festival, and his partner, Albert Grossman. ...

The Electric Flag

Tired of the Butterfield Band's rigorous touring schedule and wishing to create his own group, Bloomfield left to form the short-lived Electric Flag in 1967 with two longtime Chicago cohorts, organist Barry Goldberg and vocalist Nick Gravenites. The band was intended to feature "American music" and incorporated an expanded lineup complete with a horn section, allowing the group to add soul music to its extensive list of influences. The inclusion of drummer Buddy Miles, with his gravelly voice and great stage presence, also gave Bloomfield license to explore soul and R&B rather than adhere to his Chicago blues roots. The Electric Flag debuted at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival and issued an album, A Long Time Comin', in April 1968 on Columbia Records. Critics complimented the group's distinctive, intriguing sound but found the record itself somewhat uneven. Unfortunately, the band was already disintegrating; rivalries between members and shortsighted management (not to mention heroin abuse) all took their toll. Shortly after the release of that album, Bloomfield left his own band. The Electric Flag, formed in 1967, was a blues rock soul group led by guitarist Mike Bloomfield, keyboardist Barry Goldberg, and bassist Harvey Brooks. ... Barry Goldberg (born 1941 in Chicago, Illinois) is a blues keyboardist. ... Nicholas George Gravenites (born October 2, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois), known as Nick The Greek Gravenites and Gravy, is a blues, rock and folk singer/songwriter and is best known for his work with Janis Joplin and several other greats of the era. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... Poster promoting the festival The Monterey International Pop Music Festival took place from June 16 to June 18, 1967. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... For other uses, see Heroin (disambiguation). ...

Work with Al Kooper

Michael Bloomfield also made an impact through his work with Al Kooper, with whom he had played backing Dylan, on the album Super Session in 1968. This was a jam-oriented record that spotlighted Bloomfield's guitar skills on one side and those of Stephen Stills on the other; the album received excellent reviews and became the best-selling album of Bloomfield's career; its success led to a live sequel, The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper, recorded over three nights at Fillmore West in September 1968. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Album cover of 2003 re-release of Super Session. ... Stephen Arthur Stills (born January 3, 1945) is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young). ... Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper is a double album documenting performances from two of blues-rocks most notable American musicians of the late 1960s. ... The Fillmore, also known as Fillmore Auditorium, is a legendary music venue in San Francisco, California. ...

Solo Work

Bloomfield continued with solo, session and back-up work from 1969 to 1980, releasing his first solo work It's Not Killing Me in 1970. During the late 1970s, Bloomfield recorded for several smaller labels, including Takoma. Through Guitar Player magazine he also put out an instructional album with a vast array of blues guitar styles, titled If You Love These Blues, Play 'Em as You Please. Bloomfield also performed with John Cale on Cale's soundtrack to the film Caged Heat in 1975. Through the 1970s, Bloomfield seemed satisfied to play in local San Francisco Bay Area clubs, either sitting in with other bands or using his own "Michael Bloomfield and Friends" outfit. But his best performing days were behind him and most of the decade was spent battling drugs and his own deep insecurities. A revealing look at his decline can be heard in the tapes circulated for Chet Helms' (of The Family Dog) Tribal Stomp held at Berkeley's Greek Theatre in 1978. The original Butterfield Blues Band reunited for this show and Bloomfield was featured in several solos. However, his guitar is out of tune at times and he simply misses licks he could have hit in his earlier days. For comparison, seek out concert recording from the Fillmore West with the Electric Flag, when he was in his prime. Bloomfield also was apparently suffering from arthritis in his hands in his last few years and that may have been a telling factor in both the decline of his playing and his mental attitude towards performing. Guitar Player magazine contains articles, interviews, reviews and lessons of an eclectic collection of artists, genres and products. ... John Davies Cale (born March 9, 1942) is a Welsh musician, songwriter and record producer. ... Caged Heat (alternate title: Renegade Girls) is a 1974 exploitation film in the women in prison genre. ... USGS satellite photo of the San Francisco Bay Area. ... Chet Helms, or Chester Leo Helms, (August 2, 1942 to ~June 25, 2005), born in Santa Maria, California, was the eldest of three sons born to Chester and Novella Helms. ... The Electric Flag, formed in 1967, was a blues rock soul group led by guitarist Mike Bloomfield, keyboardist Barry Goldberg, and bassist Harvey Brooks. ... Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. ...

On February 15, 1981 Bloomfield was found dead in San Francisco in his parked car. According to his friends, the size of the heroin dose that killed him meant that he probably did not drive to this spot and overdose, rather that the lethal dose had been administered somewhere else and he had been driven to this spot to avoid complications for his drug-ingesting cohorts. The official cause of death was ruled an accidental drug overdose. is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...

Style

Bloomfield used Fender guitars but is most commonly associated with the Gibson Les Paul which he used with Electric Flag and on Super Session. His instrument of choice before and after this time was the Fender Telecaster. His use of the Les Paul influenced many others to use it in much the same way, using the front pickup and making judicious use of the guitar's inherent long sustain. Unlike contemporaries such as Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck, Bloomfield rarely experimented with feedback and distortion, preferring a loud but clean sound with a healthy amount of reverb. One of his amplifiers of choice was a 1965 Fender Twin Reverb. Bloomfield's solos, like most blues guitarists', were based primarily on the minor pentatonic scale and the blues scale. However, his liberal use of chromatic notes within the pentatonic framework allowed a considerable degree of fluidity to his solos. He was also renowned for his use of vibrato. It has been suggested that Fender Amplifier History be merged into this article or section. ... The Gibson Les Paul is one of the most recognizable solid-body electric guitar designs in the world. ... The Fender Telecaster, also known as a Tele, is a typically dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender. ... Jimi Hendrix (November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970) was an American guitar virtuoso, singer and songwriter. ... Geoffrey Arnold (Jeff) Beck (born June 24, 1944 to Arnold and Ethel Beck in Wallington, Greater London) is an English rock guitarist. ... When sound is produced in an enclosed space multiple reflections build up and blend together creating reverberation or reverb. ... An amplifier is a device which changes a small movement into a larger movement. ... The Fender Twin Reverb is an all-tube guitar amplifier with two 12 speakers made by Fender. ... A pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five pitches per octave. ... In music, a pentatonic scale is a notes per octave. ... In music, chromatic indicates the inclusion of notes not in the prevailing scale and is also used for those notes themselves (Shir-Cliff et al 1965, p. ... Vibrato is a musical effect where the pitch or frequency of a note or sound is quickly and repeatedly raised and lowered over a small distance for the duration of that note or sound. ...

Sources

• "Michael Bloomfield". Allmusic.com (accessed September 30, 2006).

is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Selected discography

• The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1965)
• Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan (1965)
• East-West - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1966)
• A Long Time Comin' - The Electric Flag (1968)
• Grape Jam - Moby Grape (1968)
• Super Session - Bloomfield, Kooper and Stills (1968)
• The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper (1968)
• Living with the Animals - Mother Earth (1968; credited as "Makal Blumfeld" due to contractual constraints)
• It's Not Killing Me (1970)
• If You Love These Blues, Play 'Em As You Please - Mike Bloomfield (1976)

Paul Butterfield Blues Band is a 1965 album by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. ... Highway 61 Revisited is Bob Dylans sixth studio album, released in 1965 by Columbia Records. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... old logo current logo Eastwest Records was started in 1955 as a subsidiary label of Atlantic Records. ... Wow/Grape Jam is the rock band Moby Grapes sophomore 1968 album. ... Album cover of 2003 re-release of Super Session. ... Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper is a double album documenting performances from two of blues-rocks most notable American musicians of the late 1960s. ...

External links

• Official Mike Bloomfield Site
• Bloomfield's Doomed Field by Al Kooper
• Michael Bloomfield Discography