Born in Detroit, Michigan on December 22, 1939, Gurley took up the guitar at the age of nineteen, practicing long hours listening to blues, particularly fond of bluesman Lightnin' Hopkins. In 1962, he moved to San Francisco and became part of the coffee-house circuit, playing in the folk and country blues tradition.
In the summer of 1965, legendary promoter Chet Helms brought James to 1090 Page Street to meet Peter Albin and Sam Andrew of Big Brother and the Holding Company, and shortly thereafter, he joined the band. In June of 1966, Joplin joined the band, and shortly thereafter she and Gurley began a short lived affair. - more on this story
Preview and Purchase Big Brother and the Holding Company CDs
Big Brother and the Holding Company MP3 Downloads
Clarksville, TN Attraction Historic Collinsville Set for Civil War Days Reenactments
RockPile: Willie Nile And More
'Meat' Me at Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi
Al Jardine - Islands in the Sun
Hot In The City: Candlelight Concerts Set to Light Up Phoenix
Watch Yungblud Perform New Song 'Ghosts'
The Blues Brothers: The Lost Recordings Set For Special Release
Enuff Z'nuff Preview New Album With 'Heavy Metal' Video
Singled Out: Digney Fignus' The Emperor Wears No Clothes
Motley Crue Revisit 'Home Sweet Home' With Dolly Parton
Muse Return With New Single 'Unravelling'
Watch Enter Shikari Rock 'Satellites' With Sam Ryder At Wembley
Frank Bello of Anthrax Reveals Surprise Collaboration