Walter Trout: Stellar Performer at Bluesfest 2018
For over five decades, American blues guitarist, songwriter and singer Walter Trout has performed to adoring fans and was another music stalwart warmly welcomed at the impressive 2018 Bluesfest line-up held at Byron Bay over Easter.
Late last year, Trout released his latest, and 26th album, featuring 14 A-list music stars, featuring an original track for each. Featured musicians included John Mayall and Joe Bonamassa, exemplified the admiration also held by his many peers and fellow musicians, which was appropriately named “We’re All In This Together”.
This follows his survival of near-fatal liver disease for which he was fortunate enough to be given a last minute reprieve through obtaining a liver transplant; he credits his wife with helping to save him who he ushered on stage and for whom he sung a charming song he’d written in tribute. His track “Gonna Love Again” won two Blues Music Awards while his album Battle Scars, documenting his battle with liver failure, won Rock Blues Album of the Year in 2016.
Walter’s son Jon was another family member to join him on stage. Accompanying his father on electric as well as acoustic guitar, Jon proved to be equally as talented, their riffs and harmonies making the audience feel as if they were enjoying an amazing, private jam session. The fans greeted the performance with enthusiastic hollers of delight and raucous applause, especially when Walter dipped into the variety of tracks within his extensive repertoire and across the years.
The pedigree of Walter Trout includes being a member of the John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex bands and guitarist for a recent incarnation of famed American rock band Canned Heat, noted for its interpretations of blues music.
In 1996, the official International Walter Trout Fan Club was founded which now has members in 14 countries across Europe, America and Asia as well as in Australia.
For more information, go to www.waltertrout.com
Jon Trout performing at Bluesfest 2018 with his father Walter Trout.