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Paul Pena

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Paul Pena was born in 1950 in Hyannis, Massachusetts, into a family of Cape Verdean descent. Because of congenital glaucoma he was almost blind from birth and from the age of five attended the Perkins School for the Blind. He became a singer, songwriter and guitarist, and the music of the first half of his career touched on Delta blues, jazz, morna, flamenco, folk and rock 'n' roll. In 1969 his band played in Philadelphia as the opening act for Frank Zappa and the Grateful Dead, and the same year he performed at the Newport Folk Festival.

Music and breakthrough

After moving to San Francisco in 1971 he often played for Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders. His debut album Paul Pena was released in 1972 and received good reviews but sold little. His second album, New Train, was recorded in 1973 but only released in 2000, because of a dispute with Albert Grossman of Bearsville Records. Steve Miller heard the album and recorded the song Jet Airliner for Book of Dreams in 1977. It became a big hit and the income supported Pena for years.

Influence

In 1984 Pena heard Tuvan throat singing on shortwave radio and taught himself the techniques, by his own account with memories of bluesmen such as Howlin' Wolf. His deep voice earned him the nickname Cher Shimjer, earthquake, among the Tuvans. The 1999 documentary Genghis Blues follows him in that world.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Jet Airliner by the Steve Miller Band. Pena wrote the song himself. Notice how it sounds as a rock song, and ask yourself how much of the blues with which Pena began you can hear.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists