Chris Lange receives the Swiss Blues Lifetime Achievement Award

CHRIS LANGE - THE FIRST SWISS BLUESMAN

Chris Lange was born in Zurich on 4 April 1942 and died on 7 April 2023, making him one of the first European musicians to pick up an electric guitar. He was therefore one of the first pioneers of the blues in Europe and Switzerland and was instrumental in promoting its spread. Chris Lange played guitar, keyboards, percussion and xylophone.

He founded the Chris Lange Rhythm and Blues Combo at the end of the 1950s. He later played in numerous formations in the 1960s, including Driving Wheel, Freeway 75 and The Baracudas, all of which contributed to the development and spread of the blues in Switzerland.

In 1961, he recorded an LP for the Storyville label in Copenhagen together with the pianist Champion Jack Dupree, who had settled in Zurich. Fun fact: It was only 5 years later that the American bluesman recorded albums with Eric Clapton and John Mayall.

He had less talent for shows, which is why he was somewhat forgotten, although he made many recordings at home and continued to champion the blues until the end. It was not until 2017 that he appeared again as a guest with the Swiss Blues Legends at their premiere at the Bluesfestival Baden.

The Bluesfestival Basel is proud to honour him posthumously with a lifetime achievement award.