To say JOE BONAMASSA is one of the planet’s greatest guitarists is a bold statement, but one that can’t be argued. His onstage career began when he was only 12 years old when he opened for the incredible B.B. King. Now, I’ve interviewed B.B. and seen him live, and know you have to be something pretty special to be his opening act, and that’s precisely what Joe was back then, and even more so now.
Since 2000 he’s released something like 28 solo albums, all on his own label, J&R Adventures. His tour schedule is as hectic as ever, with around 200 shows worldwide each year, and a heaping handful of markedly diverse side projects keep him thinking outside the box and flexing every musical muscle he’s got.
There’s a case to be made that Joe Bonamassa, like another star who shared the same initials, is the hardest working man in show business.
Joe has just launched the official animated music video for his new single “Mind’s Eye” taken from his critically acclaimed album“Time Clocks.” The stunning video, which is a homage to the animated style of the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine and the prog rock videos of the 70’s, is released during the lead up to Bonamassa’s UK tour which starts next week in Glasgow, with a date at the Motorpoint Arena a week on Friday, 22nd.
Roy Weisman is the CEO of Joe’s U.S. label J&R Adventures, he said…….
“Joe wanted this video to emulate the great prog rock videos of the past using cool custom illustrations and psychedelic scenes.
The song has a very Pink Floyd feel so the video needed to step up and meet that unique vibe. The whole Time Clocks record is about a journey and “Mind’s Eye” gives you a fun glimpse of what could be swimming around in inside someone’s mind.”
The tour follows the release of Joe’s critically acclaimed 15th solo studio album “Time Clocks” that was originally released in October 2021 via Provogue/Mascot Label Group in Europe and J&R Adventures in North America.
Joe’s will have alongside him a hand-picked group of world-class musicians playing songs from his “Time Clocks”, as well as tracks from his vast catalogue of albums such as “Royal Tea”, “Redemption”, “Blues of Desperation” and “The Ballad of John Henry”, plus classic Bonamassa fan favourites.
If you’ve never seen Joe live, the reviews pretty much say it all…….
“Joe Bonamassa is a seminal blues titan.” – Classic Rock Magazine
“Joe Bonamassa is remarkable.” – Uncut Magazine
“Smokin’ virtuosity.” – The Times
“Electrifying brilliance.” – Daily Star
“As with every gig I have seen him perform he shows that he loves the music and is as invested in it as his audience is. A brilliant night.” – Music-News
Joe also runs a non-profit organization called Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, whose mission is to promote and sustain music education and blues music by funding scholarships and providing music education resources to schools in need. To date, the non-profit has funded schools and teachers with over $1 Million (£762,000) and has positively impacted 70,000 students across the country.
Since COVID-19 has changed the ways of the world, Joe has been working hard to raise money for musicians affected by the crisis, by creating the Fuelling Musicians program. The initiative is an emergency relief plan designed to support musicians by providing immediate cash payments for essential living expenses of $1,500 (£1,144) to help them stay afloat and get back on the road again when it is safe. To date, they’ve raised over $475,000 (£362,000) and distributed money to over 300 artists.
JOE BONAMASSA gets to the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Friday 22nd April, doors open at 6:30pm. To get your tickets for this unmissable night, go HERE.
And to keep up to date with Joe is doing right now, check out his website HERE
