Lance Lopez(born September 30, 1977) is an Americanblues rockandTexas bluessinger, guitarist, and songwriter. Lopez has been influenced byJimi Hendrix,B.B. King,andStevie Ray Vaughan.[1]Jeff Beckhas described Lopez as "a very exciting and intense blues guitarist". Lopez has spoken over the years about being mentored by bothBilly GibbonsandJohnny Winter.[1]Lopez was aged 16 at the time he met Gibbons, and they have remained friends throughout.[2]
Lance Lopez | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 30, 1977 Shreveport, Louisiana,United States |
| Genres | Blues rock,Texas blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
Life and career
editHe was born inShreveport, Louisiana,United States.[3]At the age of 12, he moved toDallas,Texas,to live with his mother, and then on toNew Orleans,Louisiana,two years later, to reside with his father.[3][4]By the age of 14, Lopez was playing guitar in the local bars and clubs in theFrench Quarter,New Orleans, already a professional musician.[4][5]His time in high school was split between New Orleans and Florida, after his father moved again. All this time, however, Lopez continued to play in local clubs on evenings and at the weekend. The family returned to Dallas when Lopez was 17 years old.[3]He was recruited byJohnnie Taylor,and Lopez toured in his band around theChitlin Circuitfor six months.[4][5]At the age of 18, Lopez was hired by Lucky Peterson with whom he toured the world for three years.[3]During this time Lopez established a friendship with the drummerBuddy Miles,and he became the guitarist for a couple of brief spells for theBuddy Miles Express.Miles mentored Lopez, leading to Miles co-producing Lopez's debut album,First Things First(1998), along withJay Newland.[3][6]
In December 2000, Lopez and his band made their first touring schedule in Europe, which led to him to supporting bothSteve VaiandJeff Beckthe following year. Also in 2001, Lopez opened forB.B. Kingin Texas, and his ensemble was granted the 'Blues Band of the Year Award' at the Dallas Music Awards.[3]Lopez spent time recording his sophomore album for Grooveyard Records, who were based inRochester, New York.Wall of Soulwas recorded in 2003 and released the following year. It was co-produced by, and also featuredEric Gales;plus a guest appearance was made byDoug Pinnickof the bandKing's X.[3]After the release ofWall of Soul,Lopez performed around Texas, opening shows forLos Lonely BoysandJoe Bonamassa.In 2005, Lopez alongsideTommy Shannonand Buddy Miles formed the short-lived, Band of Trouble. Lopez released his third album,Simplify Your Vision(2006). For his next release, Lopez played all of the musical instruments on the recording of his fourth album,Higher Ground(2007).[3]He concluded his releases on Grooveyard Records with a live album recorded the same year.[7][8]
Over the period between 2008 and 2011, Lopez toured in Europe extensively, playing at larger music festivals and supporting acts includingZZ Top,Whitesnake,Def Leppard,andRod Stewart.In 2009, Lopez had signed a new recording contract with MIG (Made In Germany) Music / String Commander, who were based inHanover,Germany.[4]In 2010, the albumSalvation From Sundown,which was produced by Jim Gaines was released by MIG. It was issued in limited edition format alongside a DVD of theRockpalastconcert recorded on July 25, 2009.[3]It was deliberately arranged in aTexas bluesstyle, which led to Jeff Beck calling Lopez, "a very exciting and intense blues guitarist".[5][9]In March 2012, MIG Music released the sixth album from Lopez,Handmade Music.As with the previous release, the album was produced by Jim Gaines and recorded at theArdent StudiosinMemphis, Tennessee.[4][5]
In 2012,Supersonic Blues Machinewas formed by Lopez, the drummerKenny Aronoff,and the bassist and record producer Fabrizio Grossi.[2][10]They released their debut album,West Of Flushing, South Of Frisco,which was recorded mainly by the three musicians separately and usingPro Toolstechnology to bring the various elements together. The same principle was used in selecting the guest musicians tracks to be added to the overall mix.[11]The band was 'augmented' on the recording byBilly Gibbons,Robben Ford,Walter Trout,Warren Haynes,Eric GalesandChris Duarte.[6]Supersonic Blues Machine had its worldwide debut concert at the Holland International Blues Festival on June 4, 2016, inGrolloo,the Netherlands.[11]The rigours of touring and the lifestyle caught up with Lopez around this time. Lopez stated "My own personal struggles were overcoming alcoholism, drug addiction and to start eating healthier, lose weight and exercise... I struggled for years drinking and drugging and eating badly while I was drinking... I became very overweight".[6]Once recovered, Lopez noted about performing, "That still doesn't mean every night is perfect... but at least I can walk away and say I did the best I could and I was sober doing it".[11]
His next release wasLive in NYC(2016), which was issued onCleopatra Recordsand produced byPaul Nelson.The recording come out of Lopez attending, and performing at, the 70th birthday party forJohnny Winter.[6]
Lopez signed with theMascot Label Groupin November 2017,[12]and his debut album on theirProvogue Recordsimprint wasTell the Truth,which was released on March 2, 2018.[13]It was produced by Fabrizio Grossi, and featuredJimmy Zavala.[14]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | First Things First | Grooveyard Records |
| 2004 | Wall of Soul | Grooveyard Records |
| 2006 | Simplify Your Vision | Grooveyard Records |
| 2007 | Higher Ground | Grooveyard Records |
| 2007 | Live | Grooveyard Records |
| 2010 | Salvation From Sundown | MIG |
| 2011 | Handmade Music | MIG |
| 2016 | Live in NYC | Cleopatra Records |
| 2018 | Tell the Truth | Provogue Records |
| 2023 | Trouble Is Good | Cleopatra Records |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ab"'Tell the Truth' From Lance Lopez Tells His Story ".Americanbluesscene.com.March 20, 2018.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^ab"Lance Lopez".Lewitt-audio.com.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^abcdefghi"Lance Lopez".Mig-music.de.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^abcde"Sonicbids".Sonicbids.com.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^abcd"Lance Lopez".Biscuitsandblues.com.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^abcdMichael Limnios."Gifted axeslinger Lance Lopez talks about Texas blues scene, Jim Gaines, SRV, Hendrix and Johnnie Taylor".Blues.gr.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^"Lance Lopez: Texas Guitar Slinger is Just a Product of His Environment".Americanbluesscene.com.July 31, 2014.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^ab"Lance Lopez Albums and Discography".AllMusic.RetrievedSeptember 3,2024.
- ^"Mr. Rattlesnake - Lance Lopez".Bmansbluesreport.com.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^"Album Review: Supersonic Blues Machine".Metalplanetmusic.com.July 11, 2022.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^abc"Interview – Lance Lopez".Crypticrock.com.May 24, 2016.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^"Lance Lopez Signs to Provogue/Mascot Label Group".Americanbluesscene.com.November 24, 2017.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^"Tell the Truth - Lance Lopez | Releases".AllMusic.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.
- ^"Lance Lopez - Tell The Truth (2018) [flac]".Blues.at.ua.RetrievedOctober 22,2022.