Guitarist- Dudley Dean (aka Dudley Gimpel, and Bo Dudley)
Dudley was born and raised in the Midwest, and began playing bass at age 13. He discovered Jimi Hendrix in 1968- and since, has been smitten with guitars and most everything that connects to them. Early influences include Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter and the Allman Brothers Band, which sparked an enduring love for the Blues and Rock. Later musical projects lead to appreciation for Soul and R&B, but always with a touch of the Blues.
As Bo Dudley, he was an original member of The Rockin' Hollywoods, a Minneapolis Show Band that has thrilled Midwest audiences from the early 1970's to the present. The “Hollywoods” performed with many famous acts- 3 Dog Night, The Guess Who, Tommy James & The Shondells, Johnny Rivers, Wolfman Jack and many more. Dudley was inducted with The Rockin' Hollywoods to the Minnesota Rock & Country Hall Of Fame in 2008.
He built his first guitar at the age of 16, and has become well known as a designer of award winning instruments, and luthier to the stars. Dudley headed the repair shop of the famous Knut Koupee' Music Store in Minneapolis, where he built and repaired guitars. He moved to Studio City, California and worked at Valley Arts Guitars, serving many famous Artists from the LA studio scene, and touring musicians from around the World.
In 1984 Dudley came to the Central Coast of California, to work for the Ernie Ball Company, and is happy to call it home. He played an important role in the design of Music Man instruments from 1984-2020, and worked with many famous Artists and the Ernie Ball Family.
In 2011 The Mojo Combo was born- a 5 piece collection of local steeped-in-the-Blues addicts. The band recorded several original tunes and won New Times Music Awards in 2011 and 2012. Dudley is the remaining original member, and in 2013, started hosting The Blues Masters Jam monthly, featuring members of The Mojo Combo and the very best of Blues musicians on the Central Coast.
Dudley is currently keeping the Mojo alive with The Mojo Combo v3.0, featuring Mike Melchione, Bruce Willard, and Tracy Morgan.
BEWARE- you too, could become addicted, or even more seriously- Mojo-fied!