Eric Gales

Eric Gales

Eric Gales is a blues rock guitarist and vocalist from Memphis, United States. He is known for playing left-handed guitar upside down, a style he learns as a child from his older brothers, Eugene and Manuel. The family’s approach to music comes through their grandfather, Dempsey Garrett Sr., who jams with musicians including Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

Early life and family background

Gales is born in 1974 and grows up in Memphis. He starts playing guitar at four years old, copying Eugene and Manuel. He wins his first blues contest at 11, which leads to an early start in recording and releasing music.

Recording career

At 15, Gales signs to Elektra and releases his debut album in 1991, recorded with Eugene on bass. He follows it with Picture of a Thousand Faces in 1993. Manuel, who also performs as Little Jimmy King, rejoins the family project for Left Hand Band in 1995, released under the name Gales Brothers.

Gales later releases That’s What I Am on MCA in 2001. In the mid-2000s, he records Crystal Vision and Psychedelic Underground for Blues Bureau Records, followed by The Story of My Life in 2008 and the compilation Layin’ Down the Blues in 2009. He returns in 2010 with Relentless, a set of original songs, and follows it with Transformation in 2011.

Style and associated acts

His music combines blues rock with rock, and also draws on hard rock and funk. He is often linked with the power trio format and with Jimi Hendrix in the way his playing is discussed. His work appears under several group names, including The Eric Gales Band, The Gales Bros., Eric Gales Trio, World-Wide-Funkdrive and Pinnick Gales Pridgen.

Discography highlights

Key releases in his catalogue include The Eric Gales Band (1991), Eric Gales (1993), Picture of a Thousand Faces (1993), Left Hand Band (1995), That’s What I Am (2001), Crystal Vision (2006), Psychedelic Underground (2007), The Story of My Life (2008), Layin’ Down the Blues (2009), Relentless (2010) and Transformation (2011).