The Chris Fitz Band
The Chris Fitz Band was born out of necessity and burning desire, and for more than 12 years has operated just under the radar as one of Boston’s and New England’s hardest working and steadiest rising bands. After more than 1,500 gigs, 10,000 albums sold, numerous music awards, and a successful European tour under its belt, the band stands seasoned and ready to break out as one the countries Blues-Rock powerhouses!
1994 was the beginning, and Chris was wrapping up his first year as a working musician as the guitar player in a blues cover band called Vykki Vox and the Soul Searcher’s. Having founded the band along with singer Vykki Vox after sharing the stage at several Boston area blues open mic nights, Chris soon landed a Thursday night residency for the band at a long since defunct night club in Boston’s Back Bay called Waldo’s. The weekly gig was a great stepping stone to regular work, but it soon became apparent that Chris and Vykki had different musical visions and aspirations. The two parted ways and the Chris Fitz Band was born.
Inheriting the Waldo’s gig, Chris suddenly found himself responsible for keeping the show rolling every week. Scrambling to put a band together, and having never stepped in front of the microphone as a singer, Chris threw caution to the wind and carried on without a hitch. Although he is quick to say that if there are any bootleg recordings of those early shows he would like to have them to burn into eternity. Nevertheless, Chris and his new band plugged away week after week, surviving on blind ambition, spirit, passion, pizzazz, several SRV, Jimi Hendrix and Howlin’ Wolf covers and not a whole lot of finesse or maturity. Although a little rough around the edges, the shows were exciting and loaded with energy, and the crowds kept growing. For nearly two years Chris Fitz honed his skills as band leader, singer, songwriter and blues guitar master, all the while slowly building a grass roots audience for his brand of high energy rockin’ blues. If “necessity is the mother of invention,” the early incarnation of the Chris Fitz Band proved this to be true. However, it was Chris’ lifelong passion to be a band leader, guitar player, songwriter and professional musician that has really propelled the band to its current heights!