The Pioneers of Jazz-Rock
Blood, Sweat & Tears was a groundbreaking band that fused rock, jazz, and blues into a unique, brass-heavy sound that set them apart in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Formed in 1967 by Al Kooper, the band initially embraced an experimental jazz-rock style before evolving into a more polished, mainstream success under the leadership of vocalist David Clayton-Thomas.
Their self-titled second album, released in 1968, became a massive hit, featuring iconic songs like Spinning Wheel and You've Made Me So Very Happy, which showcased their sophisticated arrangements and dynamic horn section. Winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1970, the band cemented its place in music history, though internal conflicts and changing musical trends led to fluctuating success in later years.
Despite these challenges, Blood, Sweat & Tears remains a pioneering force in blending rock with jazz influences, leaving a lasting impact on the evolution of popular music.
Listen to Greatest Hit Uninterrupted use ☰ to select/change track
The original lineup included:
Al Kooper – Keyboards, vocals
Randy Brecker – Trumpet
Jerry Weiss – Trumpet, flugelhorn
Fred Lipsius – Alto saxophone, keyboards
Dick Halligan – Trombone
Steve Katz – Guitar, vocals
Jim Fielder – Bass
Bobby Colomby – Drums
This lineup recorded the band’s debut album, Child Is Father to the Man (1968), which featured Kooper as the lead vocalist. However, after creative differences, Kooper left the band, and they soon brought in David Clayton-Thomas as their new frontman, leading to their most commercially successful era.
First Album use ☰ to select/change track. Note: first track is the full album.