Loading...
Blackfoot was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in the Fall of 1969 by childhood friends Greg T. Walker, Rickey Medlocke , Jakson Spires, DeWitt Gibbs and Charlie Hargrett. Originally called "Hammer," in March 1970 they re-named the band "Blackfoot" (contrary to legend, the name was suggested by drummer Spires) and moved to New York City and then New Jersey. DeWitt soon left the band, and Rickey began playing guitar full-time.
Starting from the spring of 1973 they spent the next 12 years touring the world and recording Gold and Platinum albums including "No Reservations" , "Flying High" , "Strikes" which produced the Grammy nominated "Train, Train" and rock anthem "Highway Song"; "Tomcattin" , "Marauder, "Highway Song Live" , "Siogo" and “Vertical Smiles”. Keyboardist/vocalist Ken Hensley from Uriah Heep joined in 1982 and performed on the “Siogo” and "Vertical Smiles" albums. The original band ended by the end of 1985.
By mid-2004 there was considerable demand for a Blackfoot reunion. Greg T. called Jakson, Charlie and long time friend Bobby Barth, and arrangements were made for Blackfoot's reformation. Tragically, Jakson Spires passed away on March 16th, 2005. Each member of Blackfoot had previously agreed to continue should one of them become ill or unavailable. The band chose Christoph Ullman from Austria to step in for him. This line-up continued for a year until Bobby became ill and was sidelined from the road. During that time, Jay Johnson took over for Barth and remained aboard until Barth recovered. In the Spring of 2010, Barth needed emergency back surgery. (Bobby is progressing well and expected to make a full recovery.)
This time Greg and Charlie called former Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist/vocalist Mike Estes who, along with new drummer Kurt Pietro, was an old friend and had played with them on various all-star gigs all over the USA.
This line-up is currently gigging and tearing it up!
"One of the best bands to rise to the top during the heyday of great Southern rock music was Blackfoot. This four- man power band featured killer twin guitar players and a rhythm section that could lay the beat down lower than a snails underbelly and tighter than shoes two-sizes-small! "
Scott Greene - The Gritz
"If you were choosing a rhythm section for a Southern Rock Hall of Fame band, Greg T. Walker would be first off the vine. His place in Southern music is set in stone and he will always be remembered as a member of the tightest rhythm sections in history. As a founding member of one of the greatest bands to ever come out of the South, Greg T. Walker was one of the four childhood friends with a love for music who grew up to become the band "Blackfoot."
Scott Greene - The Gritz
“The band has never sounded better...this was absolutely one of the finest shows I have had the pleasure of attending in quite some time.”
Michael Buffalo Smith - Swampland
“Even with the differences between the classic line up and the current members within BLACKFOOT, the live songs are still as powerful as ever. Based on the crowd response throughout the set, anyone who came walked off into the night as a BLACKFOOT fan.”
Jeff Martin - RockEyez
