The Blasters

The Blasters led the early-'80s American roots music revival, performing styles from rockabilly and country to blues and R&B. Brothers Phil and Dave Alvin (whose father was a labor organizer) grew up in the L.A. suburb of Downey listening to the music of Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Reed, and Elvis Presley. The brothers played in various bands and in 1979 they formed the Blasters, named af...