American singer-songwriter and guitarist born November 11, 1955, in Downey, California. First gained prominence as guitarist of the Blasters (1979-1986) — the band he co-founded with his brother Phil. Launched a successful solo career in 1986.
Released over a dozen solo studio albums starting with Romeo's Escape (1987). Best-known releases include Blue Blvd (1991), King of California (1994), Public Domain: Songs from the Wild Land (2000, which won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album), and Eleven Eleven (2011). Periodically reunites with his brother Phil for tours and the album Common Ground: Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy (2014).
