Boz Scaggs Biography

Singer/songwriter Boz Scaggs, best known as a member of the Steve Miller Band, was born William Royce Scaggs in Canton, Ohio in 1944. As a child, he lived first in Oklahoma and then Texas, where he picked up his nickname Boz. He encountered Steve Miller when he was still in school, and having already learned the guitar, Scaggs paired up with Miller as a musical duo.

Later, as a young man, Boz Scaggs left for London and spent some time performing with such bands as Mother Earth and the Wigs, before recording his solo debut, Boz, in 1965. He returned to the United States, heading for San Francisco, and joined up with Steve Miller again in 1987. Scaggs joined Miller for the albums Children of the Future and Sailor, but shortly thereafter Boz signed a record deal as a solo artist, and his second album, Boz Scaggs, was released in 1969.

The 1970’s brought Boz Scaggs his greatest success as a solo artist. Moments, released in 1971, was followed by My Time in 1972 and Slow Dancer in 1974, but it was Silk Degrees (1976) which reached the top of the charts and gave audiences the hit singles “Lowdown” and “ Lido Shuffle.” Down Two Then Left (1977) and Middle Man (1980) were equally successful, spawning the singles “Jo Jo” and “Breakdown Dead Ahead.” Scaggs embarked on a hiatus for most of the 1980’s, but returned in 1988 with Other Roads. Some Change followed in 1994, and Come on Home and My Time: The Anthology after that in 1997.  In 2003, Boz Scaggs explored his love of jazz with his album But Beautiful.

When not growing grapes and producing wine with his family in California’s Napa Valley, Boz Scaggs hits the stage for regular tours, nearly every summer. Scaggs maintains a steady fan base which continues to support his live performances, and in 2010, he enjoyed a highly successful tour as a member of The Dukes of September Rhythm Review, with Michael McDonald and Donald Fagen. He toured again in 2014 and 2015, in support of his latest album, A Fool to Care (2015), which rose to the number fifty-four spot on the mainstream charts.