Go Joe Bruin takes a look at the 10 best musical acts, artists, composers and bands from UCLA, and ultimately proving that Bruins rock! Enjoy the show.
The University of California, Los Angeles. Known for their academics and athletics, but did you know it also has a rich history of musical talent? UCLA, audio stimulation made here.
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Let us look at the top ten artists/acts/composers/bands that are linked to the greatest university in the world.
Now its time to get your boogie on!
10. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers
You may remember Steve Martin as a wild and crazy guy. You also might remember him as a jerk. Others might remember him as an amigo. Above all, Steve Martin is a multi-talented genius.
Martin is a modern Renaissance Man that is able to do it all. The former Bruin (he transferred to UCLA in 1967 from Santa Ana College) has not only made a living from comedy but along the way, he has shown his musical prowess as an elite banjo player.
It was a talent he picked up early in his life but has morphed it into a collaboration with the bluegrass band, the Steep Canyon Rangers.
Forming in 2000, the Steep Canyon Rangers were originally a concoction of University of North Carolina students Wood Platt, Graham Sharp, and Charles Humphrey III. Along the way, they have picked up numerous musicians, including Martin. Actually, it was Martin who asked the Rangers to accompany him on a “world bluegrass tour” in 2009. In the next two years, Martin and the SCR played several shows and festivals to critical acclaim.
In 2011, Martin and the Rangers released their first album together (the Rangers and released six albums up until this point), titled Rare Bird Alert.
Martin and the SCR released two more albums together and have been touring on and off ever since.