first recorded by Albert King in 1967
30+1 suggested versions:
Albert King
Born Under a Bad Sign (2:49)
Recorded at Stax Studios, Memphis, TN, May 17, 1967;
Originally released by Stax in 1967
on the album "Albert King: Born Under a Bad Sign"
Albert King - lead guitar, vocals
Steve Cropper - rhythm guitar
Booker T. Jones - piano
Donald "Duck" Dunn - bass
Al Jackson Jr. - drums
Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love, Joe Arnold - horns
Guitar solo in the mid by Albert King
Dirty Blues Band
Born Under Bad Sign (2:49)
Recorded in Hollywood, CA, September 1967;
Originally released by Bluesway in 1967
on the album "Dirty Blues Band"
Rod Piazza - vocals
Glenn Ross Campbell - guitars
Robert Sandell - gutiars
Pat Maloney - organ
Les Morrison - bass
John Milliken - drums
Guitar solo in the mid by Glenn Ross Campbell
Paul Butterfield
Born Under a Bad Sign (4:11)
Recorded in 1967;
Originally released by Elektra in 1967
on the album "The Butterfield Blues Band: The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw"
Paul Butterfield - vocals
Elvin Bishop - guitars
Mark Naftalin - organ
Bugsy Maugh - bass
Phil Wilson - drums
David Sanborn - alto sax
Gene Dinwiddie - tenor sax
Keith Johnson - trumpet
Guitar solo in the mid & before the end by Elvin Bishop
Cream
Born Under a Bad Sign (3:11)
Recorded in 1967 or 1968;
Originally released by Polydor (in UK) & by ATCO (in US) in 1968
on the album "Cream: Wheels of Fire"
Jack Bruce - bass, vocals
Eric Clapton - guitars
Ginger Baker - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning & in the mid by Eric Clapton
Apple Pie Motherhood Band
Born Under a Bad Sign (7:04)
Recorded in 1968;
Originally released by Atlantic in 1968
on the album "The Apple Pie Motherhood Band"
Ted Demos - lead guitar
Joe Castagno - rhythm guitar
Jeff Labes - organ
Richard Barnaby - bass, (prob.) vocals
Jackie Bruno - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, after the 1st verse & before the 3rd verse by Ted Demos
Organ solo after the 2nd verse by Jeff Labes
McKenna Mendelson Mainline Born Under a Bad Sign (5:56)
Recorded in Toronto, Canada, September 5 or 9, 1968;
Originally released by Paragon in 1969
on the album "McKenna Mendelson: Blues"
Joe Mendelson - vocals
Mike McKenna - guitars
Denny Gerrard - bass
Tony Nolasco - drums
Guitar solo in the mid & at the end by Mike McKenna
Big Mama Thornton
Born Under a Bad Sign (3:45)
Recorded at Amigo Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1969;
Originally released by Mercury in 1969
on the album "Big Mama Thornton: Stronger Than Dirt"
Big Mama Thornton - vocals, (prob.) drums
Big Terry DeRouen - guitars
Everett Minor - sax
Nat Dove - piano
Curtis Tillman - bass
unknown - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning & in the mid by Big Terry DeRouen
Piano solo in the mid by Nat Dove
Jimi Hendrix
Born Under a Bad Sign (7:38) - instrumental
Recorded at Record Plant, New York City, NY, December 15, 1969;
Originally released by MCA (in US), by Polydor (in Europe) in 1994
on the album "Jimi Hendrix: Blues"
Jimi Hendrix - guitars
Billy Cox - bass
Buddy Miles - drums
Guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix
Paul Butterfield Born Under a Bad Sign (11:49)
Recorded live at A&R Studios, New York City, NY, December 1970;
Originally released by RockBeat in 2015
on the album "Paul Butterfield: Live New York 1970"
Paul Butterfield - harmonica, vocals
Ralph Walsh - guitars
Rod Hicks - bass
Dennis Whitted - drums
Gene Dinwiddie - tenor sax
Trevor Lawrence - baritone sax
David Sanborn - alto sax
Steve Madaio - trumpet
Harmonica solo at the beginning, after the 2nd verse by Paul Butterfield
Guitar solo after the 1st verse & before the end by Ralph Walsh
Sax solo before the 3rd verse by Gene Dinwiddie
Potliquor
Born Under a Bad Sign (5:22)
Recorded at Deep South, Baton Rouge, LA, 1972;
Originally released by Janus in 1972
on the album "Louisiana Rock & Roll"
Les Wallace - guitars
George Ratzlaff - piano, (prob.) vocals
Guy Schaeffer or Leon Medica - bass
Jerry Amoroso - drums
Glenn Spreen - horns arrangements
Art Decesare, Bill Ludwig, Bud Brasher, Charlie Depuy, Lee Fortier, Nick Rousse, Pete Verbois - horns
Guitar solo in the mid & at the end by Les Wallace
Tommy Bolin
Born Under a Bad Sign/Ain't No Sunshine (8:57)
Recorded live at Ebbets Field, Denver, CO, June 3 or 4, 1974;
Originally released by Tommy Bolin Archives in 1996
on the album "Tommy Bolin & Friends: Live at Ebbets Field, June 3 & 4, 1974"
Russell Bizet - vocals
Tommy Bolin - guitars
Stanley Sheldon bass
Bobby Berge - drums
Archie Shelby - percussion
Guitar solo after the 1st & 2nd verse by Tommy Bolin
Magic Slim
Born on a Bad Sign (6:56)
Recorded live at Ma Bea's, Chicago, IL, November 9, 1976;
Originally released by MCM in 1977
on the album "Magic Slim: Born on a Bad Sign"
Writing credits labeled to Morris Holt
Magic Slim - lead guitar, vocals
Alabama Pettis Junior - rhythm guitar
Nick Holt - bass
Douglas Holt - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, in the mid & at the end by Magic Slim
Peter Green
Born Under a Bad Sign (2:56)
Recorded at Shepperton Studio Centre, London, England, 1980;
Originally released by PVK
on the album "Peter Green: Little Dreamer"
Peter Green - lead guitar, vocals
Ronnie Johnson - rhythm guitar
Roy Shipston - organ
Paul Westwood - bass
Dave Mattacks - drums
Guitar solo in the mid by Peter Green
Albert King (with John Mayall)
Born Under a Bad Sign (7:41)
Recorded live at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, June 1982;
Originally released by Hybrid in 2004
on the DVD "John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers: Jammin' with the Blues Greats"
Albert King - guitars, vocals
John Mayall - harmonica
Mick Taylor - guitars
John McVie - bass
Colin Allen - drums
Solos in the mid:
Guitar solo by Albert King
Harmonica solo by John Mayall
Guitar solo by Mick Taylor
Guitar solos by Albert King & Mick Taylor
Solos at the end:
Guitar solo by Albert King
Guitar solo by Mick Taylor
Robben Ford
Born Under a Bad Sign (3:47)
Recorded in California or New York, 1988;
Originally released by Warner Bros in 1988
on the album "Robben Ford: Talk to Your Daughter"
Robben Ford - guitars, vocals
Russell Ferrante - keyboards
Roscoe Beck - bass
Vinnie Colaiuta - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning & in the mid by Robben Ford
Low Budget Blues Band
Born Under a Bad Sign (3:05)
Recorded at Soundtrade Studios, Solna, Sweden, October 1990;
Originally released by WEA in 1990
on the album "Low Budget Blues Band: Vol. II."
Mats Ronander - guitars, vocals
Lasse Wellander - guitars
Niklas Medin - piano
Hasse Olsson - organ
Nikke Ström - bass
Pelle Alsing - drums
Leif Lindvall - trumpet, horns arrangements
Hans Dyvik - trumpet
Nils Landgren - trombone
David Wilczewski - tenor sax
Erik Häusler - baritone sax
Guitar solo in the mid by Mats Rounder
Paul Rodgers
Born Under a Bad Sign (4:45)
Recorded in 1992;
Originally released by Victory in 1993
on the album "Paul Rodgers: Muddy Water Blues"
Paul Rodgers - vocals
Neal Schon - lead guitar
Ian Hatton - rhythm guitar
David Paich - organ, piano
Pino Palladino - bass
Jason Bonham - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, in the mid & at the end by Neal Schon
Koko Taylor (with Buddy Guy)
Born Under a Bad Sign (6:23)
Recorded at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, IL, 1993;
Originally released by Alligator in 1993
on the album "Koko Taylor: Force of Nature"
Koko Taylor - vocals (1st & 3rd verses)
Buddy Guy - lead guitar, vocals (2nd verse)
Criss Johnson - guitars
Calvin Louden - guitars
Jeremiah Africa - organ
Jerry Murphy - bass
Ray "Killer" Allison or Brady Williams - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, after the 2nd & 3rd verse by Buddy Guy
Rick Derringer
Born Under a Bad Sign (3:45)
Recorded in San Francisco, CA, 1993;
Originally released by Blues Bureau (in US) & by Roadrunner (in Europe) in 1993
on the album "L. A. Blues Authority Volume IV - Fit for A. King"
Rick Derringer - lead guitar, vocals
Kevin Russell - rhythm guitar
Brad Russell - bass
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, in the mid & at the end by Rick Derringer
Buddy Miles
Born Under a Bad Sign (4:24)
Recorded at Greenpoint Studios, Brooklyn, NY, 1994;
Originally released by Rykodisc in 1994
on the album "Buddy Miles Express: Hell and Back"
Buddy Miles - drums, vocals
Kevon Smith - guitars
Nicky Skopelitis - guitars
Jeff Levine - keyboards
Joe Thomas - bass
Crispin Cioe - sax
Arno Hecht - sax
Bob Funk - trombone
Larry Etkin - trumpet
Guitar solo in the mid by Kevon Smith or Nicky Skopelitis
Organ solo before the end by Jeff Levine
Glenn Hughes
Born Under a Bad Sign (4:58)
Recorded at Prairie Sun Studios, Cotati, CA, 1994;
Originally released by Blues Bureau in 1994
on the album "L. A. Blues Authority Volume V - Cream of the Crop"
Glenn Hughes - vocals
Jeff Watson - lead guitar
Mike Onesko - rhythm guitar
Tim Bogert - bass
Jeff Martin - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, after the 1st & 2nd verse & at the end by Jeff Watson
Melvin Taylor
Born Under a Bad Sign (5:06)
Recorded at Dockside Studios, Maurice, LA, December 11-14, 1996;
Originally released by Evidence in 1997
on the album "Melvin Taylor & The Slack Band: Dirty Pool"
Melvin Taylor - guitars, vocals
Ethan Farmer - bass
James Knowles - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, in the mid & at the end by Melvin Taylor
Blinddog Smokin'
Born Under a Bad Sign (5:29)
Recorded live at Slocum's Underground, Casper, WY, March 22, 1997;
Originally released by Hapi Skratch in 1999
on the album "Blinddog Smokin': Live at Slocum's Underground - Body Droppin' Blues"
Carl Gustafson - vocals
Dave Beegle - guitars
Jason Coomes - guitars
Andy Miller - bass
Chuck Gullens - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, in the mid & at the end by Dave Beegle
Guitar solo in the mid by Jason Coomes
Etta James
Born Under a Bad Sign (3:29)
Recorded at Fort Athens Studio, Riverside, CA & Conway Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1998;
Originally released by Private Music in 1998
on the album "Etta James: Life, Love & the Blues"
Etta James - vocals
Josh Sklair - lead guitar
Bobby Murray - guitars
Mike Finnigan - organ
Dave Mathews - keyboards
Sametto James - bass
Donto James - drums
Jimmy Z. - sax
Tom Poole - trumpet
Lee Thornburg - trumpet
Slide guitar solo in the mid & at the end by Josh Sklair
Sonny Moorman Born Under a Bad Sign (5:14)
Recorded in 1999;
Originally released by Atlas in 1999
on the album "Sonny Moorman: By Request"
Sonny Moorman - guitars, vocals
unknown - bass, drums
Guitar solo after the 1st & 2nd verse by Sonny Moorman
Eric Steckel
Born Under a Bad Sign (7:05) - instrumental
Recorded at Amoeba Audio, Fleetwood, PA, between December 2003 - March 2004;
Originally released by Me and My Blues in 2005
on the album "The Eric Steckel Band: High Action"
Eric Steckel - guitars
Nick Franclik - bass
Wayne Smith - drums
Guitar solo by Eric Steckel
Pat Travers Born Under a Bad Sign (10:38)
Recorded live at the Bosuil, Weert, The Netherlands, November 5, 2006;
Originally released by Provogue in 2007
on the album "Pat Travers: Stick with What You Know - Live in Europe"
Pat Travers - guitars, vocals
Kirk McKim - guitars
Frank McDaniel - bass
Eric Frates - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, after the 2nd verse, before the 3rd verse & at the end by Pat Travers
Guitar solo after the 1st verse by Kirk McKim
Bass solo in the mid by Frank McDaniel
Blue Cheer
Born Under a Bad Sign (3:39)
Recorded in 2007;
Originally released by Rainman in 2007
on the album "Blue Cheer: What Doesn't Kill You..."
Writing credits are labeled to Albert King
Andrew "Duck" MacDonald - guitars, vocals
Dickie Peterson - bass, backing vocals
Paul Whaley - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning & in the mid by Duck MacDonald
Gov't Mule Born Under a Bad Sign (4:58)
Recorded live at the Bacon Theatre, New York, NY, December 31, 2007;
Not released officially, only available as downloadable format by Muletracks
on the album "Gov't Mule: The Winter of Love"
Warren Haynes - guitars, vocals
Danny Louis - keyboards
Andy Hess - bass
Matt Abts - drums
Steve Elston - sax
Guitar solo at the beginning, in the mid by Warren Haynes
Sax solo in the mid by Steve Elston
Gary Hoey
Born Under a Bad Sign (3:59)
Recorded at Wazoo Studios, Pelham, NH or Studio Metronome, Brookline, NH, 2013;
Originally released by Wazoo in 2013
on the album "Gary Hoey: Deja Blues"
Gary Hoey - guitars, vocals, bass, keyboards
Matt Scurfield - drums
Guitar solo at the beginning, after the 1st & 2nd verse by Gary Hoey
Joe Bonamassa
Born Under a Bad Sign (5:03)
Recorded live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, August 29, 2015;
Originally released by Provogue (in Europe) & by J&R Adventures (in US) in 2016
on the album "Joe Bonamassa: Live at the Greek Theatre"
Joe Bonamassa - lead guitar, vocals
Kirk Fletcher - rhythm guitar
Reese Wynans - piano, organ
Michael Rhodes - bass
Anton Fig - drums
Paulie Cerra - sax
Lee Thornburg - trumpet
Nick Lane - trombone
Mahalia Barnes, Jade MacRae, Juanita Tippins - background vocals
Guitar solo at the beginning, in the mid & at the end by Joe Bonamassa
