- Phil Alvin
Phil Alvin (born
March 6 ,1953 in Downey,California ) is an American singer andguitarist . He is known primarily as thefrontman of theroots-rock bandThe Blasters Alvin grew up in Downey, California in a music-loving family where he and his younger brother
Dave were exposed toblues ,rockabilly , and country.Inspired and influenced by the music they grew up with, Phil and Dave formed therock and roll band The Blasters in the late 1970s with fellow Downey residents Bill Bateman and John Bazz. The group released five albums between 1980 and 1985. While never achievingmass market success in commercial terms, their recordings and concerts drew critical respect and acult following across theUnited States andEurope .In 1986, after The Blasters had disbanded, Alvin released a solo album, "Un "Sung" Stories" and returned to
graduate school to pursue amaster's degree inmathematics andartificial intelligence . He eventually earned hisPh.D. fromUCLA .In the late 1980s he reconvened The Blasters, albeit without Dave Alvin (who chose instead to focus on a solo career). In 1994, he released a second solo album, "County Fair 2000". In 2005, under Alvin's leadership, the revised configuration of The Blasters released a much anticipated studio album, "4-11-44", after more than a decade of touring.
Blasters discography
*"American Music" - 1980
*"Blasters" - 1981
*"Over There" - 1982
*"Non Fiction" - 1983
*"Hard Line" - 1985
*"The Blasters Collection" - 1990
*"Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings" - 2002
*"The Blasters Live - Going Home" - 2004
*"4-11-44" - 2005Blasters videography
*"Streets of Fire" - 1984
*"The Blasters Live-Going Home" - 2004Phil Alvin discography
*"Un "Sung" Stories" - 1986
*"County Fair 2000" - 1994References
* [http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/artistbio.asp?CTR=67628 Phil Alvin biography]
* [http://music.aol.com/artist/the-blasters/3699/biography The Blasters biography]External links
* [http://www.theblasters.com/blast/index.html The Blasters official website]
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