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Join in celebrating Big Pete’s 80 years on stage and his 90th birthday!

Big Pete Pearson was born on October 4, 1936, and was raised in Austin, Texas. At nine years old he gave his first performance at a local bar. He became a regular at juke joints such as the Victory Grill, Charlie’s Playhouse, Big Mary’s Bar & Grill, Ernie’s Chicken Shack and Sam’s Showcase. Big Pete has not left the stage since. He is a veteran performer and songwriter of 80 years and has been on many festival and club stages throughout the world.  

Pete came to Phoenix In the 1950s and has been involved in the Phoenix blues scene ever since. His physical stature and strong voice command attention. He is a father figure to many blues men and women who have developed their skills while playing in his band. Being one of the first two people inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 1995 and in the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, Big Pete is well-known throughout the world.

In recent years, Big Pete has been performing with his European band, The Gamblers. In the United States, he performs with his other band, The Big Pete Pearson Blues Band.

Over his career, Big Pete has worked with musicians such as Ray Charles, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Tina and Ike Turner, Big Joe Turner, Etta James, Aaron Neville and the Neville Brothers, Koko Taylor, Gate Mouth Brown, Johnny Ace, T.D. Bell, Big Mama Thornton, T-Bone Walker, Screamin’ J. Hawkins, Pinetop Perkins, Joey DeFrancesco, Buddy Guy, Janiva Magness, Erbbie Bowser, Blues Boy Hubbard, Candye Kane and many others.   

Big Pete has recorded several albums. His most notable releases include “One More Drink,” “I’m Here Baby” — which reached No. 1 worldwide and won best blues album at the Independent Music Awards in 2007 — “Finger in Your Eye,” and his 2009 release, “The Screamer.” Since its release, “The Screamer” has reached No. 1 on blues charts worldwide.

In April 2012, Big Pete released “Choose,” his first album recorded with the Italian blues band, The Gamblers.

Today, Big Pete can be seen performing in Europe with The Gamblers. Songs from his latest album, “Stepping Out,” are played on the TV shows “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.”

Pete’s band:

Lead guitar: Scotty Spenner

Rhythm guitar: Jim Robertson

Bass: Curt Arndt

Saxophone: Chris Scowron

Drums: Claire Griese