Tommy Bolin

[MikeA]

According to this article Bolin replaced Walsh in the James Gang in 1973. Well, the "Gang" had released several mediocre albums with lead guitarists who just didn't "gell" with the groove of the Gang. Bolin came in and made his big splash with the Gang with "BANG" and later on the "Miami" album. Eventually ending up with Deep Purple.

Not stated in the article is the fact that Walsh turned Fox and Peters onto Bolin. At his urging, The Gang who according to Walsh would be making the biggest mistake ever if they didn't take Bolin on, recruited him. Or Walsh recruited him, or something like that.


Here is a good article documenting (mostly accurately!) his story. There are some good videos linked to the article too:

http://consequenceofsound.net/2009/0...k-tommy-bolin/

[sodascouts]

Thanks for posting this, Mike. Bolin is very underrated.

[Freypower]

Tommy Bolin was one of my husband's heroes but what happened to him is a cautionary tale. His cause of death was 'multiple drug narcosis' because there was so much in him.

[The Disco Strangler]

Nice to see a Tommy Bolin thread. I have his Deep Purple, James Gang and solo CDs. A really great musician.