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Artist
Nick Gravenites
12+ albums
bluesblues rockBerlinguitarrhythm and blues
about
Nick Gravenites (born Nicholas George Gravenites in Chicago, Illinois, on 2 October 2, 1938; died 18 September 2024) (aka Nick "The Greek" Gravenites and Gravy) was an American blues, rock and folk singer–songwriter remembered for his work with Janis Joplin and Mike Bloomfield, and several influential bands (including co-founding Electric Flag) and individuals of the generation springing from the 1960s and 1970s. Gravenites attended the University of Chicago, met Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield, became a fan of blues music, and learned guitar. He regularly patronized clubs where Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy and other leading blues musicians played. Gravenites spent time both in Chicago and San Francisco in the early 1960s. He wrote the song "Born in Chicago", which became the opening track on the Paul Butterfield Blues Band debut album, and, with guitarist Bloomfield, co-wrote the title track of their second album, East-West. Gravenites wrote Janis Joplin's song "Buried Alive In The Blues", but she died the night before her scheduled time in the studio and the song appeared as an instrumental on her album. He co-formed Electric Flag with Butterfield guitarist Mike Bloomfield. He was also responsible for writing the score for The Trip. Gravenites also worked extensively with John Cipollina after producing the first Quicksilver Messenger Service album. The two formed the Nick Gravenites–John Cipollina Band which toured a lot in Europe. Gravenites was induct
