What is Joe Bonamassa's Net Worth?
Joe Bonamassa, an American blues and rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter, boasts a net worth of $8 million. Starting his musical career at the tender age of 12, Joe opened for the legendary B.B. King. Since 2000, Bonamassa has released fifteen solo albums via his own independent record label, J&R Adventures. Impressively, eleven of these albums have clinched the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Blues chart, and Joe has been nominated three times for Grammy Awards. Not only revered among musicians for his skill, but he is also known for his vast collection of vintage guitars and amplifiers. In 2020, Joe founded Keeping the Blues Alive Records to champion and support the raw talent of blues musicians.
Early Life
Born on May 8, 1977, in New Hartford, New York, Joe Bonamassa was destined for the music world. With musician parents who owned a guitar shop, music was a significant part of Joe's upbringing. His father, Len Bonamassa, was instrumental in teaching Joe to play guitar by the age of four. Passionate about British blues rock artists like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, Len ensured these iconic tunes filled their home. By seven, Joe could play along to recordings by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. By eleven, he was mentored by the renowned Danny Gatton.
Early Career
In 1989, at just 12 years old, Joe opened for B.B. King at around 20 live shows. Despite having his own band, Smokin' Joe Bonamassa, performing around western New York and Pennsylvania, he balanced his budding music career with school commitments. At 14, Joe formed the band Bloodline with other notable musicians’ sons, including the offspring of Miles Davis, Robby Krieger, and Berry Oakley. The band produced a successful album and churned out two hit singles.
Professional Music Career
Joe's debut studio album, "A New Day Yesterday," released in 2000, hit No. 9 on the Billboard Blues chart. Between 2002 and 2006, three of his studio albums topped the Billboard Blues charts. In a career highlight, Joe played a duet with Eric Clapton at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2009.
Inspired by Beth Hart, Joe released "Don't Explain" with her in 2011, followed by "Seesaw" in 2013, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album. His 2014 album, "Different Shades of Blue," marked his return to solo studio albums, featuring mostly original compositions. The album peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the blues chart, and No. 1 on the indie chart.
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In June 2020, Joe released "Blues with Friends" via Keeping the Blues Alive Records. The album, which featured artists like Van Morrison, Jeff Beck, Paul Simon, and Bruce Springsteen, soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart and also charted internationally.
In June 2021, Joe released "Now Serving: Royal Tea Live from the Ryman," a live album and film recorded at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The event raised $32,000 for his Fueling Musicians program, supporting musicians financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Guitar and Amplifier Collection
Joe Bonamassa is celebrated for his extensive collection of vintage guitars and amplifiers, a passion sparked before he was 10 years old. His parents’ music shop often kept valuable guitars aside for him, with his first vintage guitar being a 1963 Stratocaster.
In a 2020 interview, Joe revealed his favorite guitar is his 1951 Fender Telecaster, fondly nicknamed "The Bludgeon." In 2021, Fender and Joe collaborated to release a limited-edition replica of "The Bludgeon" for his dedicated fans and the public.
Joe's amplifier collection, dominated by vintage Fender 'tweed' amps, exceeds 100 units. He proudly admitted in a 2019 Guitar World interview that his collection includes over 400 guitars and 400 amplifiers.
