Benjamin Chase Harper was born to a family of musicians on October 28th, 1969, between Claremont and Pomona, in the Inland Empire region of outer Los Angeles. Growing up in modest surroundings, Harper had a special sensitivity to social issues and the struggles of the marginalized.
Discovering his love for music early on (he picked up the guitar at 6), it was almost inevitable that he would combine the two. His maternal grandparents owned the Folk Music Center, a music store and instrument repair shop where Ben spent much of his youth. He ended up working full-time there, repairing all kinds of instruments and playing them to "test" them out. Using instruments more and more -- and repairing less and less -- Harper felt he needed to get out and stick to playing music.
the school of blues
He admired the local blues scene, especially musicians like David Lindley and Taj Mahal. He was particularly fond of the hollow-neck "Weissenborn" lap slide guitar, whose bluesy twang, a trademark of his musical heroes, he strived to emulate.
Harper never did well in school. He noticed flaws in the public education system early on, like teachers giving preferential treatment to the quiet and usually affluent students. The kids in "the back rows," as he described the less-favored students (mostly blacks and Mexicans), looked out for each other and eventually formed gangs. But Harper stayed away from that; he found his niche in music.
His parents were very supportive of his goals and allowed him to express himself freely. "I could paint the sun blue and grass purple, nobody would tell me that it was wrong," he said. So at 16, he played his first major gig: a set of acoustic blues in Fontana, California. While working as a delivery boy, he kept playing concerts at various colleges. His single year at college was equally spent writing and performing, and the local bluesmen took notice.
mostly pleasure
1992 was a big year for Harper. He released a small vinyl album, Pleasure and Pain, with buddy Tom Freund, and joined Taj Mahal's band, with whom he toured. In 1994, Ben opened for late blues legend John Lee Hooker.
A friend, producer and blues enthusiast, JP Plunier, saw so much potential in Ben that he bugged Virgin Records day and night to accept a demo tape from the young musician. But instead of recording a track, Ben and his bandmates actually set up in the office of the record executive and played a live set. Virgin signed them right away. On February 8th, 1994, Welcome to the Cruel World was released.
music for the masses
Virgin marketers were afraid that young people wouldn't like his music, as his lyrics were much too deep -- too insightful for a generation fixated with gangsta rap. As a result, they decided to market his music to Bob Dylan fans. But once Harper began to open for acts like the Fugees, PJ Harvey, the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Pharcyde, and The Roots, audiences took notice.
In France, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand, Harper's album went gold or platinum. His most ardent fans can still be found in those countries.
Following their first American tour in mid-1994, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals started working on their sophomore effort. Fight For Your Mind, released on August 1st, 1995, continued Harper's struggle against social injustice, but also brought out his romantic balladeer side. The song "Burn One Down" became the unofficial anthem of pot smokers worldwide.
Having worked alongside so many loud rockers, Harper & co. decided to go more electric on The Will to Live, released mid-'97. Though more energetic, Harper maintained the same introspective sensitivity he has become renowned for. Two years later, Burn to Shine was released and surprised fans with its massive range of styles and influences, showcasing Harper's flair for bold experimentation. The song "Steal My Kisses" was an instant hit.
best of the best
With hundreds of hours of live performances on tape, Ben selected the best 25 songs and put them on the best-selling double CD Live From Mars, released in 2001. His latest studio album, Diamonds on the Inside, reveals the man's maturity after trotting the globe many times over. Even more introspective and spiritual than before, his music still boasts a rockin' groove.
Throughout Harper's career, he has collaborated on records and in concerts with such artists as John Lee Hooker, the Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Marilyn Manson. Harper lives with his girlfriend, actress Laura Dern, and their son, Ellery Walker Harper.
