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.
