The Hollywood Blue Flames are the pre-eminent West Coast Blues band. Over 30 years ago they began life in Southern California as the Hollywood Fats Band. The “Fats” band refined the tough, aggressive sounds of 50s Chicago Blues and combined them with an in the moment, exciting modern edge to create some of the best and most significant “straight ahead” blues music recorded in the last 30 years

To say they took the blues scene by storm is an understatement. They almost single handedly ignited a blues revival that still echoes loudly to this day. The blueprint they created with their visionary style and sound has been copied by so many current players and bands, they are too numerous to name.

With the tragic death of their legendary band leader, 32 year old Hollywood Fats in 1986, the band renamed themselves “The Hollywood Blue Flames.” Since 2004 they have had three releases on the Delta Groove music label. Two of these being nominated for the Prestigious Blues Music Award by the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation.

Soul Sanctuary (2004) – Best Comeback Album of the Year

2 CD set Road to Rio, The Hollywood Blue Flames/ Larger Than Life Vol 1 The Hollywood Fats Band Live 1980 (2006) Best Historical Album of the Year
            Their latest, 2 CD set Deep in America, The Hollywood Blue Flames / Larger Than Life Vol 2 The Hollywood Fats Band Live 1980(2010) was on the Living Blues charts for 4 months with a peak position of #1.

The band is currently made up of all the original members: the multi-talented Al Blake, vocals, harmonica and acoustic guitar; On bass legendary veteran Larry Taylor, also of Canned Heat and Tom Waits Band fame, to name a few; On drums, veteran great Richard Innes who has also worked over the years with the likes of Little Richard, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and The Mannish Boys. On keyboards, without question, clearly one of the very best blues pianists working on the blues scene today is Freddy Kaplan. And now in Hollywood Fats’ place, the always amazing, as well as one of the most original, creative and versatile guitarists working today is Jr. Watson.

The Hollywood Blue Flames are clearly in a league all their own. Their brand of music is blues from A-Z at its very best with a deep and rich history and an undeniable future for years to come. The legacy lives on!

blues with a history and a future!