Boz Scaggs is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born June 8th, 1944, in Canton, Ohio, Boz was the son of a traveling salesman who would first settle the family in McAlester, Oklahoma, then to Plano, Texas. Boz attended a private school in Dallas, where a friend gave him the nickname “Bosley”, which would then form into his current name, “Boz”.

Boz started learning the art of guitar playing at age 12. He would then meet Steve Miller, a fellow guitarist who would go on to become the leader of the Steve Miller Band. At this time, Scaggs and Miller played in bands such as the Ardells and the Fabulous Knight Trains. This time period would see the beginning of Scagg’s music career.

Scaggs left school and traveled in the United States, London, and Sweden. Scaggs played in several different bands as he traveled, yet the music he made did not meet desired sales or reach. In 1972, Scaggs signed with Columbia Records, after the release of his albums My Time and Moments. His first two Columbia albums were modest sellers and seeking a new more soulful direction his record company brought in former Motown producer Johnny Bristol for 1974’s Slow Dancer album.

In 1976, utilizing session musicians who later formed Toto, he recorded Silk Degrees with Joe Wissert on production. The album, which received a Grammy nomination for album of the year and a further nomination for Wissert as Producer of The Year, reached #2 on the US Billboard 200, and #1 in a number of other countries, spawning four hit singles: “It’s Over”, “Lowdown”, “What Can I Say”, and “Lido Shuffle”, as well as the poignant ballad “We’re All Alone”, later recorded by Rita Coolidge and Frankie Valli. “Lowdown” sold over one million copies in the US and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.

Boz Scaggs has been an inspiring figure in the fields of Blue-eyed soul, rock, blues rock, soft rock, and jazz-rock. He continues to pursue his passion in these genres, while still serving as a pillar of support to many, many bands.