Boz Scaggs Biography
Boz Scaggs is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was born and brought up in Canton, Ohio, United States of America. He is widely known for his smooth, soulful vocals and his eclectic mix of musical styles, which include blues, soul, rock, and pop. Scaggs is best known for his 1976 album, Silk Degrees, which produced the hit singles “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown”.
Scaggs has also had success with other albums, such as Down Two Then Left (1977) and Middle Man (1980), and has won two Grammy Awards. His breakthrough came with the release of Silk Degrees in 1976. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart and spawning the hit singles “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown”.
Scaggs continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He has won two Grammy Awards, for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Lowdown” in 1977 and for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for “Jo Jo” in 1981. Scaggs has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
10 Quick Facts About Boz Scaggs
- Name: William Royce “Boz” Scaggs
- Age: 80 years old
- Birthday: June 8
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Height: 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, and Guitarist
- Marital Status: Married
- Salary: Under Review
- Net Worth: $40 Million
Boz Scaggs Age
Scaggs is 80 years old. He was born on June 8, 1944, in Canton, Ohio, United States. He celebrates his birthday on June 8 every year and his birth sign is Gemini.
Boz Scaggs Height
Scaggs stands at a height of 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m).
Boz Scaggs Weight
Scaggs Weighs 70 kg (154 lbs).
Early Life and Education
Boz Scaggs, born William Royce Scaggs, was born on June 8, 1944, in Canton, Ohio. His father, Royce, was a traveling salesman who had served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. The family moved frequently, living in McAlester, Oklahoma, and Plano, Texas, before settling in Dallas.
Scaggs’ musical journey began at the age of nine when he started playing the cello. However, his true passion lay in the guitar, which he picked up at 12 under the guidance of his classmate, Steve Miller. At St. Mark’s School of Texas, a private school in Dallas, Scaggs joined Miller’s band, The Marksmen, as the vocalist.
After graduating from St. Mark’s in 1962, Scaggs and Miller enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. They continued their musical pursuits, playing in blues bands like the Ardells and the Fabulous Knight Trains. Scaggs’ love for music grew stronger, leading him to leave the university in 1963 to pursue his musical aspirations full-time.
Scaggs’ early musical career took him to various parts of the world, including London, Sweden, and Asia. In London, he joined the R&B band The Wigs, and in Stockholm, he recorded his self-titled debut album, “Boz,” in 1965.
In 1967, Scaggs returned to the United States and settled in San Francisco, where he reconnected with Steve Miller. Scaggs appeared on the Steve Miller Band’s first two albums, “Children of the Future” and “Sailor,” both released in 1968.
Scaggs’ talent caught the attention of Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner, who secured him a solo contract with Atlantic Records. Scaggs’ first Atlantic album, “Boz Scaggs,” released in 1969, failed to achieve commercial success. His subsequent albums, “Moments” (1971) and “My Town” (1972), also received lukewarm sales.
Rise to Fame
Boz Scaggs’ rise to fame was a gradual process that took over a decade of hard work and dedication. His early albums, while critically acclaimed, failed to achieve commercial success. It was not until his 1976 album, “Silk Degrees,” that Scaggs achieved widespread recognition and became a household name.
Here are some key factors that contributed to Boz Scaggs’ rise to fame:
Musical Talent and Versatility: Scaggs possessed a unique blend of musical talents, including soulful vocals, skillful guitar playing, and a knack for songwriting. His ability to seamlessly blend genres like blues, soul, rock, and pop made his music appealing to a wide audience.
Collaboration with Successful Artists: Associating with talented musicians like Steve Miller and recording with renowned producers like Steve Cropper and Jerry Wexler helped elevate Scaggs’ music and reach a broader audience.
Catchy Singles and Hit Songs: The release of hit singles like “Lido Shuffle,” “Lowdown,” and “What Can I Say” from the “Silk Degrees” album catapulted Scaggs into the mainstream. These songs became instant classics, garnering radio airplay and solidifying Scaggs’ commercial success.
Enduring Appeal and Timeless Music: Scaggs’ music transcended trends and remained popular over the years. His soulful vocals, relatable lyrics, and a blend of genres resonated with audiences of different generations.
Critical Acclaim and Industry Recognition: Scaggs’ talent and music were widely recognized by critics and industry peers. He won two Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a respected and influential artist.
Boz Scaggs Family, Parents
Scaggs was born to his parents Royce Gifford Scaggs and Helen Virginia Coe in Ohio. He is the eldest child of a traveling salesman. Their family migrated to McAlester, Oklahoma, then to Plano, Texas (at that time a farm town), just north of Dallas.
Boz Scaggs Wife
Scaggs is currently married to his wife Dominique Gioia. The couple tied the knot in 1992. He was first married to Donna Carmella Storniola. The couple had two sons: Austin, a music journalist for Rolling Stone, and Oscar, who died in the year 1998. Scaggs and Carmella divorced in the year 1980. Scaggs’s first husband Donna Carmella Storniola died in February 2017.
Boz Scaggs Son
Austin Scaggs is an American music critic as well as a contributing editor for Rolling Stone magazine. Also, he has written for Men’s Journal. He is the son of musician Boz Scaggs. Scaggs was born to Boz and Carmella Scaggs. Austin had a brother named Oscar who died in the year 1998 at age 21.
Boz Scaggs Net Worth
Scaggs has an estimated net worth of $40 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his Assets, Money, and Income. His primary source of income is his career as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Through his various sources of income, Boz has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts: Everything You Need to Know About Boz Scaggs
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Boz.
Boz Scaggs Wiki
- Full Names: William Royce Scaggs
- Popular As: Boz Scaggs
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Singer, Songwriter, and Guitarist
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Boz Scaggs Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 80 years old
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Date of Birth: June 8, 1944
- Place of Birth: Canton, Ohio, USA
- Birthday: June 8
Boz Scaggs Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m)
- Weight: 70 kg (154 lbs)
- Eye Color: Green
- Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Boz Scaggs Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Royce Gifford Scaggs
- Mother: Helen Virginia Coe
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Known
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife/Spouse: Married to Dominique Gioia Scaggs
- Dating / Girlfriend: Not Applicable
- Children: Sons (Austin Scaggs and Oscar Scaggs) Daughter(s) (None)
Boz Scaggs Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $40 Million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Singer, Songwriter, and Guitarist
Boz Scaggs Career
After finishing school, he briefly joined the burgeoning rhythm and blues scene in London, then traveled on to Sweden as a solo performer, and in 1965 recorded his solo debut album, Boz, which failed commercially. Boz had also a brief stint with the band The Other Side with Mac MacLeod and Jack Downing.
Returning to the U.S., he promptly headed for the booming psychedelic music center of San Francisco in 1967. Linking up with Steve Miller again, Scaggs appeared on the Steve Miller Band’s first two albums, Children of the Future and Sailor in 1968.
Scaggs acquired a solo contract with Atlantic Records in 1968, releasing his second album, Boz Scaggs, featuring the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and session guitarist Duane Allman, in 1969. Besides the good reviews, this release achieved only moderate sales. He then shortly hooked up with Bay Area band Mother Earth in a supporting role on their second album Make a Joyful Noise on guitar and backup vocals.
He next signed with Columbia Records releasing the albums Moments in 1971 and My Time in 1972. Boz’s first 2Columbia 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.
Although the album only ranked position eight on the US Billboard Album Chart, it subsequently attained gold status no doubt getting a boost from the huge success of Scaggs’s next album Silk Degrees.
Boz Scaggs Lowdown
“Lowdown” is a song originally recorded in 1976 by Boz for his album Silk Degrees. The song was co-written by Scaggs and keyboardist David Paich. Paich alongside fellow “Lowdown” session musicians bassist David Hungate and drummer Jeff Porcaro, would later go on to help form the band, Toto.
Boz Scaggs Lido Shuffle
“Lido Shuffle” could be a song written by Boz Scaggs and David Paich and introduced on the 1976 Boz Scaggs album, Silk Degrees. It was subsequently released as a single in 1977. Scaggs recalled: “‘Lido Shuffle”‘ was a song that I’d been banging around.
I…took the thought of the shuffle (from) a song that Fats Domino did know as ‘The Fat Man’ that had a form of driving shuffle beat that I was accustomed to playing on the piano, and I just started kind of singing along with it. Then I showed it to Paich and he helped me fill it out. It ended up being ‘Lido Shuffle’.” Members of the backup band on “Lido Shuffle” embody David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, and David Hungate who later formed Toto.
Released because the album’s fourth single, “Lido Shuffle” reached number 11 in the US and 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In Australia, the track spent 3 weeks at range two as a double A-side hit with “What am I able to Say”.
Boz Scaggs Silk Degrees
Silk Degrees is the seventh album by Boz Scaggs released on Columbia Records in 1976. The album peaked at No.2 and spent one hundred fifteen weeks on the sign two00.
It has been certified five times platinum by the RIAA and remains his best-selling album. Silk Degrees spawned four singles.”It’s Over”, “Lowdown”, and “Lido Shuffle” created the highest forty, whereas “What am I Able to Say” peaked at No. 42.
Boz Scaggs Jojo
In 1975, Scaggs introduced us to “Lido,” a drifter with a very singable name. Two albums, later, he gave us Jojo, the first hit song about a pimp (“Fifty dollars, he’ll get you all you want,” “His baby stays high… he keeps her on the street”).
He wrote the song with David Foster and David Lasley, who was the backup singer on the track. Foster also co-wrote the Earth, Wind & Fire hit “After The Love Has Gone” around this time, and was on his way to becoming one of the top songwriters/producers of his generation.
“The music was Foster; he just starts playing it and I start singing along with it and wrote the words,” Scaggs said in our 2013 interview. “Then Lasley filled in some words, too. David Foster was writing some great R&B songs at the time, writing with Earth, Wind & Fire, and others. He was just David Foster, he’s just a genius.”
Boz Scaggs We are All Alone
“We’re All Alone” is a song written by Boz Scaggs, which became a 1977 top-ten hit for Rita Coolidge in the US and the UK. Scaggs introduced it on his 1976 album Silk Degrees.
The song was first a hit for Frankie Valli. Scaggs included it as the B-side of two of the four single releases from that LP, including “Lido Shuffle.
Boz Scaggs Some Change
Some Change is an album by Boz Scaggs, released in 1994. Allmusic’s retrospective review called Some Change is “a very honest and natural-sounding collection of pop, pop/rock, and soul-influenced pop” and “his best album since 1976’s Silk Degrees.”
Boz Scaggs Songs
- Lowdown Silk Degrees · 1976
- Lido Shuffle Silk Degrees · 1976
- Look What You’ve Done To Me Urban Cowboy · 1980
- We’re All Alone Silk Degrees · 1976
- Loan Me A Dime Boz Scaggs · 1969
- Jojo Middle Man · 1980
- Breakdown Dead Ahead Middle Man · 1980
- What Can I Say Silk Degrees · 1976
- Heart Of Mine Other Roads · 1988
- Miss Sun Hits! · 1980 It’s Over Silk Degrees · 1976
- You Can Have Me Anytime Middle Man · 1980
- Harbor Lights Silk Degrees · 1976
- Dinah Flo My Time · 1972
- Georgia Silk Degrees · 1976
- You Make It So Hard Slow Dancer · 1974
- We Were Always Sweethearts Moments (Expanded) · 1971
- I’ll Be Long Gone Boz Scaggs · 1969
- Last Tango On 16th Street A Fool To Care · 2015
- Hard Times Down Two Then Left · 1977
- Hollywood Down Two Then Left · 1977
- Slow Dancer Slow Dancer · 1974
- Runnin’ Blue Boz Scaggs & Band · 1971
- What Do You Want The Girl To Do Silk Degrees · 1976
- I Just Go Dig · 2001 Sierra Some Change · 1994
- Miss Riddle Dig · 2001
- Near You Moments (Expanded) · 1971
- Who’s That Lady 2014
- Thanks To You Dig · 2001
- Love Me Tomorrow Silk Degrees · 1976
- Love T.K.O. 2014
Boz Scaggs albums
- Boz Scaggs Albums
- Silk Degrees 1976
- Middle Man 1980
- Out of the Blues 2018
- Slow Dancer 1974
- Boz Scaggs & Band 1971
- Memphis 2013
- Some Change 1994
- Moments 1971
- Dig 2001
- Fade into Light 1996
- Other Roads 1988
- A Fool to Care 2015
- Come On Home 1997
- Boz 1965
- My Time 1972
- Boz Scaggs 1969
- Speak Low 2008
- But Beautiful 2003
- Unplugged (Live) 2019
- Lowdown (Live) 2019
- Live in San Francisco 2013
- Sierra (Live) 2019
- Fly Like A Bird (Live) 2019
- Boz Scaggs – Greatest Hits (Live) 2016
- Live At the Fillmore West – 30 June 1971
- [Live] 2013 Moments (Expanded) 1971
- You Should Be So Lucky 2014
- But Beautiful – Standards: Volume I 2003
- Live at the Paramount Theater, Oakland, 1974
- (FM Radio Broadcast) 1974
- Memphis (Expanded Edition) 2013
- Steamin’ Hot 1982
- Greatest Hits – Japanese Singles Collection 2019
- David Garfield & The Cats Do Pop Classics 2011
- Anthology 2000
- Boz Scaggs – Unplugged At The Planet 2019
- Live at Pacific High, 1971 2016
- Memphis (Deluxe Version) 2013
- I Feel So Good (The KSAN Studio Broadcast ’71) 2020
- Neal Conway Classics Revisited, Vol. 6 2016
- The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA, 1997
- (Hd Remastered Edition) 2018
- Paramount Theater, Oakland, 1974
- (Hd Remastered Edition) 2018
- Hits! 1980
- Down Two Then Left 1977
- Greatest Hits Live 2004
- Search Results Web results
Boz Scaggs Tour
Boz Scaggs is currently on his 2023-2024 tour, which is scheduled to continue through 2024. The tour features a mix of old favorites and new material, and is sure to please fans of all ages.
Here are the upcoming tour dates:
- February 22, 2024: Tokyo Dome City Hall, Tokyo, Japan
- February 24, 2024: Tohoku University Centennial Commemoration Kawauchi Hagi Hall, Sendai, Japan
- February 26, 2024: Nagoya Civic Hall, Nagoya, Japan
- February 28, 2024: Festival Hall, Osaka, Japan
- March 1, 2024: Fukuoka City Hall, Fukuoka, Japan
Boz Scaggs Band Members
Boz Scaggs has worked with a variety of talented musicians throughout his career, and the lineup of his touring band has evolved over time. However, some of the core members of his band have been with him for many years, including:
- Mel Martin: Tenor, alto, and baritone saxophones, flute
- Tom Poole: Trumpet, flugelhorn
- Pat O’Hara: Trombone
- Doug Simril: Guitar, piano
- Joachim Young: Organ, piano, vibraphone
- David Brown: Bass
- George Rains: Drums, percussion
These musicians have contributed significantly to the rich and varied sound that Boz Scaggs is known for. They are all highly skilled and experienced performers, and they bring a wealth of talent and expertise to the stage.
In addition to these core members, Boz Scaggs often brings in additional musicians to round out the sound of his band. For example, he has worked with string sections, horn sections, and percussionists. This allows him to create a dynamic and versatile sound that can adapt to different venues and musical styles.
Boz Scaggs Contacts
Related Biographies
You may also like to read the Bio, Career, Family, Relationship, Body measurements, Net worth, Achievements, and more about:
About InformationCradle Editorial Staff
This Article is produced by InformationCradle Editorial Staff which is a team of expert writers and editors led by Josphat Gachie and trusted by millions of readers worldwide.
We endeavor to keep our content True, Accurate, Correct, Original and Up to Date. For complain, correction or an update, please send us an email to informationcradle@gmail.com. We promise to take corrective measures to the best of our abilities.