Tommy Bolin

The Profile

Thomas Richard Bolin (August 1, 1951 – December 4, 1976) was an American guitarist known for his work with Zephyr, the James Gang, Billy Cobham (notably on Spectrum), his solo albums Teaser and Private Eyes, and for replacing Ritchie Blackmore on Deep Purple's Come Taste the Band. He died in December 1976 from a drug- and alcohol-related incident.

Publicly verifiable facts: Bolin contributed to Billy Cobham's 1973 album Spectrum, released his solo album Teaser in 1975 and Private Eyes in 1976, and joined Deep Purple for the Come Taste the Band album. He died on December 4, 1976; the death involved drugs and alcohol.

Three DeBaser reviews present Tommy Bolin as an eclectic, gifted guitarist whose brief career spanned blues, funk and jazz-rock fusion. Reviews highlight his solo albums Teaser and Private Eyes and his session work (notably on Billy Cobham's Spectrum). Critics praise his inventiveness and mourn his death from a drug-related incident in December 1976.