Ben Harper

Ben Harper (born October 28, 1968) is an American musician of the 1990s. As a child, he began playing guitar in his homeland of California, eventually specializing in the acoustic slide guitar. As a young man, he received a record deal from Virgin Records, releasing his debut album, Welcome to the Cruel World[?] (1992) to generally positive reviews.

His 1995 follow-up, Fight for Your Mind was a more mature and more political effort, while his third effort, The Will to Live[?] (1997) expanded his fan base at college radio and adult alternative audiences. It also introduced the Innocent Criminals, Juan Belson[?] (bass), David Leach[?] (percussion) and Dean Butterworth[?] (drums), Harper's back-up band. Over the course of the next two years, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals toured incessantly and played on records and live with R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Radiohead, A Tribe Called Quest, Gov't Mule[?], Beth Orton, The Fugees and John Lee Hooker. In 1999, Burn to Shine[?] was released, which included "Steal My Kisses" and "Suzie Blue", two college radio favorites. 2001 saw the release of Live from Mars[?], a critically acclaimed double-LP of a recent tour with Dave Matthews Band.

Diamonds on the Inside is Ben Harper’s latest offering. It offers a further diversification of style to include reggae, funk and a guest appearance by Ladysmith Black Mambazo[?]. Interestingly, it sees a return to the line up featured on the Fight for your mind[?] as neither Dean Butterworth[?] or David Leach[?] feature.

Harper also owns a music store in Claremont, California. Folk Music Center is also a musical instrument museum and features instruments from many countries, as well as vintage stringed instruments. The store was established by Ben's maternal grandparents, Charles and Dorothy Chase.