Artist description Hot blues guitarist with international reputation.

Music Style Blues/Rock

Musical Influences Stevie Ray Vaughan

Similar Artists Stevie Ray Vaughan

Artist History "Skeleton Key", David Gogo's fifth album with Cordova Bay Records, follows hot on the heals of his international acclaimed CD "Halfway to Memphis" and Gogo is laying it all on the line with this new release. Born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, David received a ukulele at age 4 and his first guitar at age 5. Encouraged by his parents throughout his childhood, the guitar began to consume him. By the time he reached high school, where he shared the same music teacher as Diana Krall, David was well on his way towards a successful career in music. By the age of 16 Gogo was working steadily as a professional musician. His interest in the blues could be considered unusual for a teenager in the early 1980’s. Nonetheless, David was drawn to the emotional power and raw depth of such performers as Howling Wolf and Son House. Things really fell into place for Gogo when the now legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan arrived on the musical scene. Finally, David had discovered someone with whom he could truly relate! Vaughan summed up everything that Gogo aspired to be. David soon had the chance to meet the Texas guitar icon, who encouraged Gogo to pursue and commit to become a serious blues artist. Shortly thereafter he formed a band called The Persuaders. Quickly Gogo and his band mates began making a name for themselves across Western Canada and they jumped from an after school project to opening for such legendary blues acts as Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins and the Icebreakers. After a European tour supporting the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gogo signed a solo deal with EMI/Capitol Music. Although leaving his band was difficult, he realized his destiny was unfolding before him. In just a few short months Gogo was suddenly performing on stage with his idols B.B. King, Otis Rush, Blues Traveler and many others at the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and guesting on Tom Cochrane's "Mad Mad World" album. He also found time to write material for his upcoming debut. The self-titled album was released to critical acclaim and garnered David a Juno nomination. Despite these successes, Gogo decided to part ways with EMI to pursue his passion for blues. Although this seemed a huge career risk at the time, leading with his heart paid off. Going back to his first love, the blues, Gogo released "Dine Under the Stars". Recorded live in his hometown, this raucous CD proved to finally capture the raw intensity and virtuosity that helped build David's reputation. Originally an independent release in Canada, the album was soon snapped up by Dixiefrog Records in France for Europe and Gogo signed with Canadian Independent Cordova Bay Records. Several successful European tours and American blues festival appearances followed. The release of the more rock-oriented "Change of Pace" album got Gogo back on Rock Radio airwaves. The acoustic blues of "Bare Bones" also opened new doors and widened his appeal. It was a surprise to no one that Gogo was named "Musician of the Year" 1999/2000 at the West Coast Music Awards. Gogo's fourth CD "Halfway to Memphis" was released in Canada with Dixiefrog handling European duties, once again. It was an immediate critical and commercial success, his strongest entry yet. "Skeleton Key", however, expands on its success while giving Gogo the opportunity to explore new ground. His ability to blend blues, soul and rock in an electric performance brings an innovative texture to his music. David hand picked a slew of fresh original works that show musical maturity and a full understanding of the blues/rock genre. And his treatment of unexpected gems by such diverse artists as Depeche Mode and Stevie Wonder illustrates his knack for turning non-genre material into contemporary blues/rock anthems for the new millennium. The singles "Personal Jesus” and “(Just Ask) Jesse James” will undoubtedly be heard radiating from radios in sun-drenched convertibles through the summer of 2002. Since signing with Cordova Bay, Gogo's records have been released in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and across Europe. These successes have David busier than ever and happy to find acceptance as a world class blues man. And, oh yes… David Gogo is his real name.

Instruments Various electric guitars and a 1930 National Guitar

Albums Skeleton Key, Halfway to Memphis, Change of Pace, Bare Bones, Dine Under the Stars, David Gogo

Press Reviews David Gogo: Skeleton Key Review by bluesfreepress.org.uk… June 2002 Canadian archetypal Blues-rocker David Gogo has a new album poised for release and it's a MONSTER. When delivery of 'Skeleton Key' reaches your local store it will probably arrive in an armoured truck with a heavily armed police escort. Watch out, watch out coz Gogo's about! David Gogo: Halfway To Memphis Review by Tom Branson - BluesRocker.ws staff… August 2001 I have made no secret of the fact that I believe that Walter Trout is the reigning king of the blues/rock guitarists. He has paid his dues, earned the respect of his peers, is recording the best material of his career, and plays live with great passion and intensity. However, as was the case with all those before him, there will come a day when he is replaced at the top of the heap. Some have left the mountain top through retirement or death while others simply lose the fire in their gut. Someday, another player will stand atop the list and I do not imagine that we have ever seen a day when there were so many potential "heir apparents". There are more gifted blues/rock artists around these days than at anytime I can recall. Though there is a large number of worthy future contenders for the crown, I would be hard pressed to come up with someone who has a more legitimate chance of someday reaching that apex than Canadian born blues/rock guitarist David Gogo. Gogo is an upper tier guitarist whose brand of blues/rock will hit you in the chin with the force of a Clark Kent uppercut. I first heard of his work after the release of his live Dine Under the Stars CD, which is an intense and fiery showcase of Gogo's incredible ability with six string instruments of assorted varieties. His latest release for Cordova Bay records, Halfway To Memphis is a studio recording, but still an intense one nonetheless. His music is not for "blues purists" or the faint of heart in general, but if you are a fan (like me) of aggressive blues/rock guitar, then Gogo's CDs surely have to be added to your grocery list. This latest release is the fourth for Gogo in the past 3 years, as he continues to build the kind of outstanding body of work worthly of potential future royalty. The CD is a mixture of 7 covers and 4 Gogo originals. Regardless of style or tempo, each is filled with monstrously powerful guitar and Gogo's passionate vocals, which have steadily improved with each of his releases. Take a listen to Muddy's Louisiana Blues, Eddie Hinton's (I Gotta) Testify or the Gogo original Bad Faces and you will soon understand that this is an artist who can go just about as far in this genre as any before him and perhaps someday even farther. � Bluesrockers 2001

Location Nanaimo, British Columbia - Canada

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