{{Short description|American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter (born 1951)}} {{Lead too short|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Walter Trout | image = Walter Trout 2008.jpg | image_size = | caption = Trout performing at the Ottawa Bluesfest in 2008 | background = solo_singer | birth_name = | alias = | origin = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|03|06|mf=y}} | birth_place = Ocean City, New Jersey, United States | genre = Blues, blues rock | occupation = Musician, songwriter | instruments = Vocals, guitar | years_active = 1969–present | label = Ruf/Platinum/Provogue | past_member_of = {{hlist|John Mayall's Bluesbreakers|Canned Heat}} | website = {{URL|www.waltertrout.com}} }}
'''Walter Trout''' (born March 6, 1951, in Ocean City, New Jersey, United States<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p132889/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography by Jason Ankeny |website=AllMusic|access-date=December 21, 2009}}</ref>) is an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.
==Biography== Trout's career began on the Jersey coast scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s. He then decided to relocate to Los Angeles where he became a sideman for John Lee Hooker, Percy Mayfield, Big Mama Thornton, Joe Tex, and many others.
Between 1981 and 1984, he was the lead guitarist in Canned Heat.<ref name="AMG"/> He toured with them extensively in the US, Europe, and Australia. From 1984 to 1989, he was the lead guitarist in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers following in the footsteps of guitarists such as Peter Green and Eric Clapton. Trout recorded and toured with the Bluesbreakers worldwide. The many successes on stage were accompanied by a self-destructive lifestyle offstage. Trout recalled in a 2018 interview with Blues Radio International that while playing with John Mayall, he was rescued from a complete descent into alcohol and substance abuse by a post-gig encounter with Carlos Santana.<ref>{{cite AV media |people= Walter Trout, Mike Zito |date= Mar 26, 2018|title= Carlos Santana, Walter Trout & Mike Zito: One Life Saves Another.. And Another |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-z2yckSdUs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/2-z2yckSdUs |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|access-date=March 26, 2020 |publisher= Blues Radio International}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Trout left the Bluesbreakers in 1989 and formed the 'Walter Trout Band' which developed a successful following in Europe, especially Scandinavia where he found himself playing to large festival crowds such as at the Midtfyns Festival and Skanderborg Festival. ''The Times'' named Trout's first solo album, ''Life in the Jungle'', "the greatest album in the history of the blues-rock genre."{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Between 1990 and 1992, Trout's first two albums sold over 100,000 copies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-05-ol-1537-story.html|title=LOOKING FOR BIGGER FISH TO FRY : The Walter Trout Band Heads for the Mainstream|date=November 5, 1992|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref>
In 1991, his song, "The Love That We Once Knew" climbed the charts in the Netherlands leading to a Top 10 radio hit. Performances at Park Pop and Pink Pop solidified his status there. When home between tours and until 2005, Trout hosted all-night jams with his celebrity friends in Huntington Beach. Such jams featured Richie Hayward (Little Feat), Jesse Ed Davis, Mick Taylor, John Mayall, Garth Hudson, Billy Gibbons, TM Stevens, Teena Marie, and many more.
In 1994, the official Walter Trout Fan Club for the Netherlands and Belgium was founded, followed in 1996 by the official International Fan Club which had members in 14 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Australia.
In 1998, Trout released his self-titled US debut album and renamed his band 'Walter Trout and the Free Radicals' (later renamed 'Walter Trout and the Radicals' and currently simply 'Walter Trout'). Since, Trout has been recording prolifically and touring in North and Central America, Europe, Australia, and India.
In 2002, he was featured on the Bo Diddley tribute album, ''Hey Bo Diddley – A Tribute!'', performing the song "Road Runner" and many more guest appearances on other recordings.
In June 2013, while touring Germany, Trout got the first signs that he was suffering from cirrhosis. With his health deteriorating, he continued to tour until told he needed a liver transplant within 90 days.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Leadbetter|first1=Russell|title=Herald Scotland|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/13166507.Rescued_From_Reality__The_Life_And_Times_Of_Walter_Trout_By_Henry_Yates_and_Walter_Trout_MLG____19_95/|access-date=28 August 2016|date=2014-06-21}}</ref> Supported by donations from fans, his wife raised the money needed for them to move out of state for lengthy stays in order to qualify for transplantation in various states.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jackson |first=Nate |url=http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2014/08/walter_trout_coach_house_interview.php |title=How Walter Trout Cheated Death With Help From the Blues | OC Weekly |website=Blogs.ocweekly.com |date=2014-08-01 |access-date=2016-05-25|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20140804231632/http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2014/08/walter_trout_coach_house_interview.php|archive-date=2014-08-04}}</ref> Trout recovered from his cirrhosis and subsequent liver transplant in a hospital bed for eight months, during which time he suffered from brain damage, which caused him to lose the ability to speak, play the guitar, and recognize his family. Due to being bedridden, he also lost the use of his legs during this time. He had to relearn how to speak and walk. Trout has also stated that he spent eight hours a day over the course of a year to relearn how to play the guitar.<ref>{{Citation|title=Walter Trout 2018 04 21 Tampa, Florida - Skipper's Smokehouse - Full Show|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZUNJTdMkOw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/jZUNJTdMkOw |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-09-19}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On May 26, 2014, Trout received the lifesaving operation. By 2015, Trout had recovered and was able to go on tour in Europe.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/walter-trout-talks-curry-blues-and-survival-ahead-of-rock-city-gig/story-29802250-detail/story.html|title=Walter Trout talks curry, blues and survival ahead of Rock City gig|date=2016-10-12|newspaper=Nottingham Post|access-date=2016-11-05}}</ref> His 2015 album, ''Battle Scars'', chronicled his battle with liver failure and the excruciating wait for a donated liver to become available.
Also in 2014, a documentary hosted by Dutch rock journalist TJ Lammers about Trout's life was released to coincide with Trout's album, ''When the Blues Came Calling''. At the same time, a biography, ''Rescued From Reality'',<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEePoAEACAAJ|title=Rescued from Reality: The Life and Times of Walter Trout|first1=Henry|last1=Yates|first2=Walter|last2=Trout|date=May 29, 2014|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9789082200201|via=Google Books}}</ref> co-written by British music journalist, Henry Yates, was released.
In 2015, Trout had recovered and returned to performing at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He was introduced onstage by his wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptPfyW4AduE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/ptPfyW4AduE |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title= "Marie Trout" Introduces "Walter Trout" @ The RAH |publisher=YouTube|access-date=January 19, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In November 2015, Trout became a patron of The British Liver Trust to help raise awareness and much-needed funding for the cause. Trout, and his wife, Marie have helped raise awareness for Donate Life Nebraska and are also ambassadors for the Danish Liver Foundation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://leverforeningen.dk/en/frontpage/|title=Frontpage|website=Danish Liver Association|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20191007121429/https://leverforeningen.dk/en/frontpage/|archive-date=2019-10-07}}</ref> as well as Organdonation – Ja Tak.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://organdonation-ja-tak.dk/|title=Organdonation - ja tak | Vi forbedrer organdonation i Danmark!|website=Organdonation-ja-tak.dk}}</ref> "I'm only still here because someone donated their liver" he said.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
In 2019, Trout's album, ''Survivor Blues'', debuted with two consecutive weeks on the Billboard Blues Chart at number one and stayed in the top ten for twelve weeks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/walter-trout|title=Walter Trout We're All In This Together Chart History|website=Billboard.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> ''Metal Zone'' magazine, reviewed his performance in London by naming Trout "the ultimate, supreme bluesman of the 20th and 21st centuries."<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metallivillezine.com/walter-trout-3-sheffield-12-10-19|title=Live Review: Planet Rocktober - Walter Trout + 3 @ Sheffield 12/10/19|website=Metallivillezine.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref>
In April 2022, Trout announced the studio album ''Ride'', alongside the lead single "Ghosts". Describing the title, Trout said, "life is kind of a ride too, isn't it? And I want to live mine to the fullest." The album was released on 19 August 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maxwell |first1=Jackson |title=Walter Trout announces new album, Ride, shares haunting lead single, Ghosts |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/walter-trout-ride-ghosts |website=Guitar World |access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref>
==Personal life == In 1990, Trout met a 27-year-old advertising executive, Marie Brændgård during the recording of his second solo album, ''Prisoner of a Dream'', in Denmark.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/musik/intlmusiknyt/walter-trout-marie-reddede-mit-liv/5824147|title=Walter Trout: Marie reddede mit liv|website=Ekstrabladet.dk|access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> Although married at the time, he pursued her, and convinced her to leave Denmark and move to California.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dr.dk/presse/allenyheder/walter-trout-alive-copenhagen|title=Walter Trout "ALIVE IN COPENHAGEN"|website=Dr.dk|access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> Trout succeeded and filed for divorce. In 1991, they were married in Huntington Beach, California,<ref>[https://www.ocweekly.com/how-] {{dead link|date=January 2020}}</ref> where the couple still lives. They have three kids together: Jonathan (1993), Biscuit (1996), and Dylan (2001) who now all live in Denmark. Walter and Marie also maintain a residence in Denmark. Marie has managed Trout's career since 1993. Trout and Marie have co-written several songs together, and in 2021 their collaboration on the song "All Out of Tears", a three-way co-write with Teeny Tucker, won the "Song of the Year" Award at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis.
==Discography== {{main|Walter Trout discography}} '''Solo studio albums''' {{columns-list| *''Life in the Jungle'' (1989) *''Prisoner of a Dream'' (1990) *''Transition'' (1992) *''Tellin' Stories'' (1994) *''Breaking the Rules'' (1995) *''Positively Beale St.'' (1997) *''Livin' Every Day'' (1999) *''Go the Distance'' (2001) *''Full Circle'' (2006) *''The Outsider'' (2008) *''Common Ground'' (2010) *''Blues for the Modern Daze'' (2012) *''Luther's Blues: A Tribute to Luther Allison'' (2013) *''The Blues Came Callin''' (2014) *''Battle Scars'' (2015) *''We're All in This Together'' (2017) *''Survivor Blues'' (2019) *''Ordinary Madness'' (2020) *''Ride'' (2022) *''Broken'' (2024) *''Sign of the Times'' (2025) }}
==Polls== *Planet Rock: Greatest Blues Artists of All Time: No. 5<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/the-top-20-greatest-blues-artists-of-all-time/|title=The Top 20 Greatest Blues Artists of All Time|website=Planetrock.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> *Arrow Classic Rock: No. 1 Best Blues Song in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016.<ref name="auto"/> *BBC Listener's Poll: No. 5 (tied with Brian May) Best Guitarist 1993
==Awards== '''Blues Music Awards''' * 2016 Song of the Year for "Gonna Live Again" * 2016 Rock Blues Album of the Year for ''Battle Scars''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blues411.com/2016-blues-music-awards-winner-list/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506104750/http://blues411.com/2016-blues-music-awards-winner-list/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2016|title=2016 Blues Music Awards Winner List – Blues411|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> * 2018 Rock Blues Album of the Year for ''We're All In This Together''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blues.org/blues-music-awards-winners-announced-taj-mahal-keb-mos-tajmo-wins-seven-awards/|title=BREAKING: Blues Music Awards winners announced; Taj Mahal & Keb' Mo's 'TajMo' wins seven awards|website=Blues.org|date=May 11, 2018}}</ref> * 2021 Song of the Year for "All Out of Tears", co-written with Teeny Tucker and Marie Trout
'''SENA European Guitar Awards''' * Winner of the SENA European Guitar Award 2015<ref name="auto"/>
'''British Blues Awards''' * 2013 Overseas Artist of the Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishbluesawards.com/winners-2013/4581356415|title=Winners 2013 - British Blues Awards|website=Britishbluesawards.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> * 2014 Overseas Artist of the Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishbluesawards.com/winners-2014/4586012690|title=Winners 2014 - British Blues Awards|website=Britishbluesawards.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> * 2015 Overseas Artist of the Year<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britishbluesawards.com/winners-2015/4590545571|title=Winners 2015 - British Blues Awards|website=Britishbluesawards.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref>
'''Blues Blast Music Awards''' * 2016 Blues Rock Album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/2016-blues-blast-music-awards/|title=2016 Blues Blast Music Awards – Blues Blast Magazine|website=Bluesblastmagazine.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> * 2017 Live Blues Album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/2017-blues-blast-music-awards/|title=2017 Blues Blast Music Awards|website=Bluesblastmagazine.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref> * 2018 Blues Rock Album and Male Blues Artist of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/blues-blast-music-award-winners/|title=Blues Blast Music Award Winners|website=Bluesblastmagazine.com|access-date=January 23, 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|Walter Trout}}
==External links== *[http://www.waltertrout.com/ Official website of Walter Trout and Official Global Fan Club] *[http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/002328.html 2006 Walter Trout interview by Brian D. Holland]
{{Walter Trout}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trout, Walter}} Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:American blues guitarists Category:American male guitarists Category:American blues singers Category:American blues rock musicians Category:Electric blues musicians Category:Canned Heat members Category:John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers members Category:Singers from New Jersey Category:People from Ocean City, New Jersey Category:Guitarists from New Jersey Category:20th-century American guitarists Category:Ruf Records artists Category:Provogue Records artists