Curtis Salgado

Curtis Salgado is a Portland, Oregon-based Blues, R&B, and Soul singer-songwriter-musician. He was born on February 41954 in Everett, Washington. He plays harmonica and fronts his own band as lead vocalist.

Salgado was the inspiration behind John Belushi's creation of the Blues Brothers characters in the late 1970s.[1] They met and became friends while Belushi was in Eugene, Oregon filming the movie Animal House. The Blues Brother's debut album Briefcase Full of Blues is dedicated to Salgado. For six years he performed with Robert Cray's band, and sang lead on Cray's debut album. Later in 1995 he spent a short stint as the lead vocalist with the latin rock band Santana.

Salgado was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2005 and underwent a successful liver transplant in 2006. He continues to record and perform his music. On June 13, 2006 a benefit concert was held in his honor in Portland, Oregon to raise funds for his medical treatment. Among those who performed were Little Charlie and the Nightcats, the alternative rock band Everclear, musician Taj Mahal, The Robert Cray Band, and rocker Steve Miller. Also in attendance was the widow of John Belushi who spoke of Salgado's part in the development of The Blues Brothers. On April 29, 2007 another benefit was held in Curtis' honor, bringing Steve Miller and Little Charlie and the boys back, and adding blues guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, and harp players Charlie Musselwhite as well as Kim Wilson.

External links

• Salgado's personal website

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