MUSIC

Verizon Wireless Theatre presents Joe Bonamassa

Born in upstate New York, Joe Bonamassa started playing guitar, on a short-scale Chiquita, at the age of four. By seven he had graduated to a full-scale model and a year later, he was playing the blues like a veteran. Says Bonamassa, "My father was a guitar dealer and player, so guitars were always around the house and part of my life. They were like chairs or tables, in that they were just as everyday."

At ten, Joe Bonamassa began performing at local venues and at twelve he was asked to open for B. B. King. King, after hearing Joe play for the first time, declared, "This kid's potential is unbelievable. He hasn't even begun to scratch the surface. He's one of a kind."

King's high regard for Joe would be echoed by other guitar greats the young performer would go on to work with, including Buddy Guy, Danny Gatton, Robert Cray and Stephen Stills.

Along with his ever-expanding vintage guitar collection, Bonamassa makes his home in Los Angeles.