Ben Harper first graced the stage at age 12 and has never looked back. In the ‘90s, he took to the jam-band circuit, touring alongside big names like Dave Matthews Band, but soon grew a much wider audience with his poignant folk ballads, bluesy acoustic pop jams, fiery political anthems and moving covers of everyone from Led Zeppelin to Leonard Cohen. Since, he's proven just as dynamic alone with a guitar as he is alongside any one of his many friends and collaborators, like Jack Johnson, the Blind Boys of Alabama and his longtime backing band the Innocent Criminals. He's toured relentlessly over the years, performing in spots as far-flung as French Polynesia and across Africa, along with numerous festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Ben Harper in Concert

Ben Harper has long been a potent voice for both freedom and feel-good music. The California-born singer-songwriter was inspired to pick up a guitar at a young age, after spending time at The Folk Music Center and Museum (founded by his grandparents), and attending life-changing shows by artists like Bob Marley. He began performing on his own at age 12 and spent his teen years crafting his sound on the slide guitar, before signing with Virgin Records in 1992. Harper's debut album, Welcome to the Cruel World, came out in 1994. He's been incredibly prolific since, following up with politically charged sets like 1995's Fight for Your Mind and catchy, beatboxing hits like 2000 single "Steal My Kisses." Over the years, Harper has never sat still, experimenting with fascinating fusions of folk, blues, rock, reggae and gospel, and proving himself a consummate collaborator, too. Just take a look at his impressive streak throughout the 21st century: He's collaborated with gospel greats Blind Boys of Alabama for 2004's There Will Be a Light; backup band the Innocent Criminals on albums like 2006's Both Sides of the Gun, 2007's Lifeline and 2016's Call It What It Is; rock group Relentless7 on 2009's White Lies for Dark Times; blues legend Charlie Musselwhite for 2013's Grammy-winning Get Up! and 2018's No Mercy in This Land; and even his own mother — the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ellen Harper — on 2014's Childhood Home. With all that under his belt, there's no way he's stopping anytime soon. His ambitiousness, as both a musician and activist, continues to be an inspiration.