Mike Zito: The King of the Blues

Mike Zito is a Grammy-nominated blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He has released eleven solo albums and one album with his band, the Wheel.

Introduction

Mike Zito is a world-renowned blues musician. He has released over a dozen albums and has toured the world, performing with some of the best in the business. He is a true icon in the blues community, and his music has inspired generations of musicians.

Early Life and Influences

Mike Zito was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 28, 1968. He started playing guitar at the age of eight. His early musical influences were the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin. At the age of fourteen, he saw B.B. King perform in concert, and that experience changed his life. He was so inspired by King’s playing that he decided to become a blues musician.

Zito began his professional career in the late 1980s, playing in various blues bands in the St. Louis area. In 1992, he moved to Austin, Texas, where he joined the band Rusty Zinn. The following year, he released his first album, Blue Room segue appunto Zero (1993). over next few years he recorded three more albums with Rusty Zinn: Wired Up! (1995), Tossin’ and Turnin’ (1997), and Keepin’ the Faith (1999).

In 2001, Zito left Rusty Zinn and relocated to Los Angeles. He released two albums with his new band, Mike Zito & the Wheel: Make Blues Not War (2002) and Today! (2003). He then toured Europe with legendary blues harmonica player James Cotton. After returning to the United States, he recorded another album with the Wheel, Third Coast (2004).

Career

Mike Zito’s career has been a long and winding one, full of ups and downs, but he’s always managed to come out on top.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1965, Zito first picked up a guitar at the age of eight. He was instantly hooked and soon started playing in local bands. By the time he was a teenager, he was good enough to be touring with some of the biggest names in blues and rock music, including B.B. King, Albert Collins, and Johnny Winter.

In the early 1990s, Zito’s career took a turn for the worse when he became addicted to drugs and alcohol. He bottomed out in 1994 when he was arrested for armed robbery and spent two years in prison.

After getting out of prison, Zito turned his life around and started making music again. He released his first solo album, Blue Room, in 2001. Since then, he has released eleven more albums and has won multiple awards for his work, including three Grammy Awards.

Personal Life

Mike Zito was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 30, 1968. He was exposed to music at an early age by his father, who was a professional musician. Zito began playing guitar when he was eight years old, and he soon developed a passion for the blues. He was influenced by such legendary bluesmen as Muddy Waters, Albert King, and B.B. King.

Zito made his first record when he was just eighteen years old. Since then, he has released fourteen solo albums and three collaborative albums. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2017.

In addition to his work as a solo artist, Zito is also a member of the supergroup Royal Southern Brotherhood. This group also includes Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Charlie Wooton, and Yonrico Scott. Together, they have released three albums: “Royal Southern Brotherhood” (2012), ” Dynasty” (2013), and “HeartSoulBlood” (2017).

When he is not touring or recording, Zito enjoys spending time with his wife Cindy and their two daughters. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys fishing, hiking, and camping.

Discography

discography
Albums

2010: Greyhound
2011: Pearl River
2012: Gone to Texas
2013: Make Blues Not War
2014: Road Dog’s Lifetime

2015: Keep Coming Back 2016: Big Wheel

2017: First Class Life

Solo albums

2005: blue room 2006: today 2007 : place called home 2008 : surrender 2009 : bridge 2010 : greyhound

Conclusion

Mike Zito is a master of the blues, and there is no doubt that he is the king of the genre. He has released some of the most iconic and influential blues albums of all time, and his live performances are nothing short of legendary. If you’re a fan of the blues, Mike Zito is an artist that you need to check out.