Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia which consists of John Bell, John Hermann, Todd Nance, Domingo S. Ortiz, Dave Schools, Jimmy Herring and Duane Trucks.
The incarnation of Widespread Panic can be traced to one dorm room at the University of Georgie shared by John Bell and Michael Houser in 1988. As both musicians were guitarists, they decided to form a duo and began gigging and writing. After meeting with the rest of the musicians that formed the original line up the band, they played in fraternities and bars on a regular and Widespread Panic signed their first record label in 1987. They gained press attention whilst playing their local gig circuit they went on to sign with major label Capricorn Records in 1991 who released the band's self titled album in July of the same year.
This album was their first major release and was received well by critics which meant the band toured for almost all of 1992 to promote the material. The following album 'Everyday' broke the US Billboard 200 whilst 'Ain't Life Grand' broke top 100. The band achieved cult status for their live performance by the end of the 90's, a CD giveaway party in their hometown was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. They also headlined two nights of the first annual Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2002 as their status soared. In the same year founding member Michael Houser was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his final show with the band was on July 2 before dying on August 10.
Their next albums were released on their own label, Widespread Records and achieved higher chart positions. Their peak to date remains 'Earth To America' which reached #48 in 2006. They continued to tour heavily throughout the promotion of all their albums and the band also hold the record for the most sold out shows at the Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Tony Succar
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