Editing Ben Harper

{{short description|American musician (born 1969)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Ben Harper
| image            = Ben Harper 003.jpg
| image_size       = 240px
| caption          = Harper at the [[Eurockéennes]] in 2008
| birth_name       = Benjamin Charles Harper
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1969|10|28}}
| birth_place      = [[Pomona, California]], U.S.
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Folk rock]]|[[blues rock]]|[[alternative rock]]|[[Soul music|soul]]|[[funk rock]]|[[Gospel music|gospel]]|[[reggae]]|[[jam rock]]}}
| occupation       = Musician
| instrument       = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|[[lap steel guitar]]|[[slide guitar]]|keyboard instruments|piano|bass|drums|percussion|[[vibraphone]]}}
| years_active     = 1992–present
| label            = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]], [[EMI|EMI Records]], [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
| current_member_of = 
| past_member_of   = [[Relentless7]]<br />[[Fistful of Mercy]]<br />The Innocent Criminals
| website          = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''Benjamin Charles Harper'''<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ben Harper|url = https://www.anti.com/artists/ben-harper/|website = ANTI- Records|access-date = 2021-10-01}}</ref> (born October 28, 1969) is an American [[singer-songwriter]] and multi-instrumentalist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|title = Ben Harper Biography|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/ben-harper/biography|magazine = Rolling Stone|access-date = 2015-11-06|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171111115632/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/ben-harper/biography|archive-date = November 11, 2017|url-status = dead}}</ref> Harper plays an eclectic mix of [[blues]], [[folk music|folk]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[reggae]], and [[rock music]],<ref>{{cite news|last = Dye|first = David|url = https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103935651|title = Ben Harper Explores Rock With Relentless7 : World Cafe|publisher = World Cafe (WXPN)|date = May 8, 2009|access-date = 2015-09-07|website = npr.org}}</ref> and he is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances, and activism.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ben Harper interview|url = http://music.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=90631|date = 2007-08-19|access-date = 2015-11-06|website = Nine MSN (music)|first = Angela|last = Pulvirenti|publisher = ninemsn Pty Ltd.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070819041638/http://music.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=90631|archive-date=August 19, 2007 }}</ref> He has released twelve studio albums, mostly through [[Virgin Records]], and has toured internationally.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Ben Harper|url = http://www.discogs.com/artist/42599-Ben-Harper|website = Discogs|access-date = 2015-11-06}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|title = Ben Harper is Married, Reunites The Innocent Criminals|url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6480360/ben-harper-married-reunites-the-innocent-criminals-tour|magazine = Billboard|access-date = 2015-11-06|date = February 23, 2015|first = Colin|last = Stutz}}</ref>

Harper is a three-time [[Grammy Award]] winner and seven-time nominee, with awards for [[Best Pop Instrumental Performance]] and [[Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album]] in 2004 and [[Best Blues Album]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/ben-harper|publisher=Grammy|title=Grammy nominations and wins - Ben Harper|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>

At the 40th [[Blues Music Award]]s ceremony, Harper's joint composition with [[Charlie Musselwhite]], "No Mercy in This Land", was named Song of the Year.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.antimusic.com/news/19/May/102019_Blues_Music_Awards_Winners_Announced.shtml|title=2019 Blues Music Awards Winners Announced|website=Antimusic.com|access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref>

==Early life==
Harper was born in [[Pomona, California]].<ref name=":0" /> His late father, Leonard Harper, was of African-American ancestry, and his mother, Ellen Harper Verdries ({{nee}} Chase),<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ben Harper And Mom Ellen Reflect On A Lifetime Immersed In A Folk Music 'Wonderland'|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/01/962774149/ben-harper-and-mom-ellen-reflect-on-a-lifetime-immersed-in-a-folk-music-wonderla|access-date=2021-02-02|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-31|title=Folk matriarch Ellen Harper now striking a chord with her music|url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/folk-matriarch-ellen-harper-now-striking-a-chord-with-her-music|access-date=2021-02-02|website=Daily Bulletin|language=en-US}}</ref> is [[Jew]]ish. His maternal great-grandmother was a [[Russian Jewish|Russian]]-[[Lithuanian Jew]].<ref>{{Cite web |title = Ben Harper {{!}} Roots {{!}} Part one |url = http://www.swer.net/english.roots1.html |date = February 3, 2008 |last = Plunier |first = JP|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080203090640/http://www.swer.net/english.roots1.html|archive-date = February 3, 2008|publisher = Les Inrockuptibles (no. 58)|orig-year = 1994|quote = English translation from an article originally in French.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onewaymagazine.com/coverstory_2-897.html |title=Ben Harper - Every Facet Of The Diamond |publisher=Onewaymagazine.com |access-date=2015-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517124614/http://www.onewaymagazine.com/coverstory_2-897.html |archive-date=May 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/fridayreview/story/0,,895525,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Blood in the tracks | first=Will | last=Hodgkinson | date=February 14, 2003 | access-date=April 26, 2010}}</ref> His parents divorced when he was five years old, and he grew up with his mother's family. Harper has two younger brothers, Joel and [[Peter Harper (American artist)|Peter Harper]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ellen Harper Looks Back on Family Struggles and Turns Them Into Song—and Prose. |url=https://flame.cgu.edu/grace-notes/ |publisher=Claremont Graduate University Magazine |access-date=15 January 2025 |date=Spring 2022 }}</ref>

Harper began playing guitar as a child.<ref>[http://www.swer.net/english.roots1.html Roots_ Part one] ''www.swer.net'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219123120/http://www.swer.net/english.roots1.html|date=December 19, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/24975/edition_id/488/format/html/displaystory.html |title=Celebrity Jews &#124; j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California |publisher=Jewishsf.com |date=February 11, 2005 |access-date=December 31, 2011}}</ref> His maternal grandparents' music store, the Folk Music Center and Museum (Claremont, CA), laid a foundation of folk and blues for the artist, complemented by regular patrons [[Leonard Cohen]], [[Taj Mahal (musician)|Taj Mahal]], [[John Darnielle]], and [[David Lindley (musician)|David Lindley]] and quotes of [[William Shakespeare]] and [[Robert Frost]] made often by his grandfather.<ref name=Appleford>Appleford, Steve. "I'll Rise: The Music and Message of Ben Harper" Page 5. Essay published in the [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000030020 Ben Harper CD Box Collection]. Released April 6
, 2000.</ref>{{rp|5}}

In 1978, at the age of 9, Harper attended [[Bob Marley]]'s performance in [[Burbank, California]], where Marley was joined by former bandmate [[Peter Tosh]] for the encore. It was, according to Harper, an important influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohPKqiEfLpI | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211103/ohPKqiEfLpI| archive-date=2021-11-03 | url-status=live|title=BobMarley.com &#124; Ben Harper Discusses Bob Marley |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-05-17 |access-date=2015-09-07}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Career==
At the age of twelve, Harper played his first gig.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/entertainment_100/135_ben_harper.html|title=Ben Harper Celebrity Profile, News, Gossip & Photos|publisher=AskMen|access-date=2015-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124215144/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/men/entertainment_100/135_ben_harper.html|archive-date=January 24, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> During the 1980s, in his teen years, Harper began to play the [[slide guitar]], mimicking the style of [[Robert Johnson (musician)|Robert Johnson]]. Harper refined his style, taking up the [[Weissenborn]] slide guitar.<ref name="Appleford" />{{rp|11}}  Harper was offered an invitation by [[Taj Mahal (musician)|Taj Mahal]] to tour with the artist. They recorded Taj Mahal's album ''[[Follow the Drinkin' Gourd|Follow the Drinking Gourd]]'', released in November 1990, and toured Hawaii.<ref name="Appleford" />[[File:Ben Harper FIJM 2003.jpg|thumb|242px|Harper on stage in 2003|left]]

In 1992, Harper recorded the [[Gramophone record|LP]] ''Pleasure and Pain'' with [[Traditional folk music|folk]] multi-instrumentalist [[Tom Freund]]. After this limited-edition record, Harper secured a lifetime record deal with [[Virgin Records]].<ref>Randy Bachman, ''VinylTap'', CBC Radio, July 7, 2012</ref> In 1993, he toured venues in California and France with his band, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, and performed with Taj Majal at [[Austin City Limits]].<ref name="1993-tour">{{cite web |title=1993 Tour |url=https://www.benharper.com/tour/setlists?location=&song=&year=1993 |publisher=Ben Harper |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

In 1994, Harper released his debut album, ''[[Welcome to the Cruel World]]'' and toured the US and Canada with the Innocent Criminals.<ref name="1994-tour">{{cite web |title=1994 Tour |url=https://www.benharper.com/tour/setlists?location=&song=&year=1994 |publisher=Ben Harper |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref> In November of the same year, he performed two solo shows in Spain.<ref name="1994-tour"/>

He released his second album, ''[[Fight For Your Mind]]'', in 1995, with Juan Nelson on bass, which became a [[college radio]] favorite and included several songs that Harper has played live throughout his career.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/281195/ben+harper/biography |title=Ben Harper - Biography |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2015-09-07 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016204716/http://www.billboard.com/artist/281195/ben+harper/biography |url-status=dead }}</ref> The same year, the band expanded their reach to Europe and performed in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Canada, and a handful of US dates.<ref>{{cite web |title=1995 Tour |url=https://www.benharper.com/tour/setlists?location=&song=&year=1995 |publisher=Ben Harper |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref> His music received a great deal of airplay and critical acclaim in Europe and was widely played in Australia (first on [[Triple J]] radio).

In 1999, at the [[Santa Barbara Bowl]], Harper met [[Jack Johnson (musician)|Jack Johnson]] and sent a demo tape of Johnson's songs to his producer, J. P. Plunier, who then produced Johnson's first album, ''[[Brushfire Fairytales]]'', in December 2000.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Apr/21/en/FP604210305.html |title=Harper takes both sides &#124; The Honolulu Advertiser &#124; Hawaii's Newspaper |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=2006-04-21 |access-date=2015-09-07}}</ref> Jack Johnson became the opening act in late February 2001 for the last 23 cities of Ben Harper's “Innocent Criminals” tour of the United States.<ref name="interviews">{{cite web|url= http://geocities.com/jackjohnsononline/interviews.htm|title=Jack Johnson Interviews|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091026224929/http://geocities.com/jackjohnsononline/interviews.htm|archive-date=October 26, 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Ben-harper-toots-and-the-maytals-jack-johnson.jpg|thumb|Ben Harper backstage with [[Toots and the Maytals]] and [[Jack Johnson (musician)|Jack Johnson]].]]
In 2002, Harper was one of the featured singers covering Motown hits by [[Marvin Gaye]] in the documentary, ''[[Standing in the Shadows of Motown]]'' (a history of [[The Funk Brothers]]). Harper was featured on the album [[True Love (Toots & the Maytals album)|''True Love'']] by [[Toots and the Maytals]], which won the [[Grammy Award]] in 2004 for Best Reggae Album, and showcased many notable musicians including [[Willie Nelson]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Jeff Beck]], [[Trey Anastasio]], [[Gwen Stefani]] / [[No Doubt]], [[Bonnie Raitt]], [[Manu Chao]], [[The Roots]], [[Ryan Adams]], [[Keith Richards]], [[Toots Hibbert]], [[Paul Douglas (musician)|Paul Douglas]], Jackie Jackson, [[Ken Boothe]], and [[The Skatalites]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tootsandthemaytals.net/linear-cd-notes/ |title = Linear CD Notes |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161110054527/http://www.tootsandthemaytals.net/linear-cd-notes/ |archive-date=10 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2003, Harper was French [[Rolling Stone (magazine)|''Rolling Stone'' magazine]]'s Artist of the Year (''Artiste De L'Année''),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Harper,_Ben/Biography/ |title=Ben Harper Biography |publisher=Starpulse.com |date=1969-10-28 |access-date=2015-09-07}}</ref> and his Australian tour that year for ''[[Diamonds on the Inside]]'' was highly successful with record sales. On April 3, 2004, Harper and [[Jack Johnson (musician)|Jack Johnson]] performed with [[Toots and the Maytals]] on [[Saturday Night Live (season 29)|''Saturday Night Live'' (season 29, episode 16)]], a show hosted by [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0694854/plotsummary|title="Saturday Night Live" Donald Trump/Toots and the Maytals (TV Episode 2004) - IMDb|access-date=May 11, 2019|website=IMDb.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/saturday-night-live/episode-16-season-29/donald-trump-toots-and-the-maytals/100385|title=Saturday Night Live - TV Guide|website=Tvguide.com|access-date=May 11, 2019}}</ref>

In October 2004, Harper participated in the [[Vote for Change]] concert tour organized to benefit [[Moveon.org]] and encourage people in the [[swing states]] to vote during the [[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004 U.S. presidential election]]. In the same month, Harper contributed a live recording of the song "Oppression" to ''[[For The Lady]]'', a benefit album for jailed [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner and Burmese pro-democracy advocate [[Aung San Suu Kyi]]. [[Image:BenHarper.jpg|thumb|220px|Harper playing a [[Weissenborn]] in [[Massey Hall]], Toronto, Ontario, 2008]]In 2006, Harper released the double album ''[[Both Sides of the Gun]]'' which debuted at number 7 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. Though uncredited, he appears briefly in the 2006 [[David Lynch]] film ''[[Inland Empire (film)|Inland Empire]]'', alongside his wife [[Laura Dern]].

Harper is part of the [[No Nukes group]], which is against the expansion of [[nuclear power]]. In 2007 the group recorded a music video of a version of the [[Buffalo Springfield]] song "[[For What It's Worth (Buffalo Springfield song)|For What It's Worth]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nukefree.org/node/96 |title="For What It's Worth," No Nukes Reunite After Thirty Years |publisher=NukeFree.org |access-date=2015-09-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719202100/http://www.nukefree.org/node/96 |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nirs.org/home.htm |title=Nuclear Information and Resource Service |publisher=NIRS |access-date=2015-09-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609064533/http://www.nirs.org/home.htm |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Harper's collaboration "Boa Sorte/Good Luck" with [[Brazilian people|Brazilian]] singer [[Vanessa da Mata]] peaked at #1 in Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil it also won a highly coveted [[Prêmio Multishow de Música Brasileira|Prêmio Multishow]] for "Best Song" in 2008. Also in 2008, Harper participated in the benefit album ''[[Songs for Tibet]]''.
[[File:Ben Harper - Matters.ogg|thumb|right|Harper discussing ''[[Lifeline (Ben Harper album)|Lifeline]]'' in 2007]]
On August 27, 2010, it was reported that Harper had formed a band called [[Fistful of Mercy]] with [[Dhani Harrison]] and [[Joseph Arthur]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/27/george.harrison.ben.harper.roll/index.html | work=CNN | title=George Harrison's son, Ben Harper form a band | date=August 27, 2010}}</ref> Fistful of Mercy released their debut record, ''As I Call You Down'', on October 5, 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://consequence.net/2010/08/27/fistful-of-mercy-make-live-debut-recorded-debut-to-soon-follow/ |title=Consequence of Sound |magazine=Consequence of Sound |access-date=December 31, 2011 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On May 17, 2011, Harper's official site posted that his next album was released, entitled ''[[Give Till It's Gone]]''. The album is a continuation of recording with Relentless7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benharper.com/music/albums/give-till-its-gone |title=Give Till It's Gone &#124; The Official Ben Harper Website |publisher=Benharper.com |date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=December 31, 2011}}</ref>

On October 1, 2012, an album from Harper with [[Charlie Musselwhite]] was announced titled ''[[Get Up! (Ben Harper album)|Get Up!]]'' on Stax Records / Concord Music Group. The official release date for the album was January 29, 2013. ''Get Up!'' was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Harper. It is Harper's 12th studio album and first recording since 2011's ''Give Till It's Gone'' (Virgin).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benharper.com/news/2012/get-up-for-the-new-album-from-ben-harper-with-charlie-musselwhite |title=Get Up! &#124; The Official Ben Harper Website |publisher=Benharper.com |date=October 1, 2012 |access-date=October 1, 2012}}</ref>

In December 2012, it was announced that Harper had co-produced lead vocalist [[Natalie Maines]] of the [[Dixie Chicks]] first solo rock album ''[[Mother (Natalie Maines album)|Mother]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nataliemainesmusic.com/post/42519391270/natalie-maines-new-album-mother |title=The Official Natalie Maines Music Site |url-status=dead |access-date=July 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716024014/http://nataliemainesmusic.com/post/42519391270/natalie-maines-new-album-mother |archive-date=July 16, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It was released on May 7, 2013.<ref name="Twitter Mother 5-7-13">{{cite tweet |user=1NatalieMaines|last=Maines|first=Natalie|author-link=Natalie Maines|number=281650524351254529|title=Good news!I made some calls and had them push the end of the world to sometime after the release of my album, #Mother 5/7/13.You're welcome.|date=December 19, 2012|access-date=December 21, 2012}}</ref>

In early 2015, it was announced that Harper and the Innocent Criminals would perform at the [[Boston Calling Music Festival]] in May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ollman|first1=Jonah|title=Boston Calling Announces May 2015 Lineup|url=http://soundofboston.com/boston-calling-announces-may-2015-lineup/|website=Sound of Boston|date=January 13, 2015|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref>
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals performed at Rock Werchter Festival 2015 on June 28, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockwerchter.be/en/line-up/wiki/ben-harper-the-innocent-criminals |title=Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals - Artist - Rock Werchter 2015 |publisher=Rockwerchter.be |access-date=2015-09-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822174130/http://www.rockwerchter.be/en/line-up/wiki/ben-harper-the-innocent-criminals |archive-date=August 22, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

On February 12, 2016, Harper released (as a YouTube video) the single "Call It What It Is", the first track taken from his studio album ''[[Call It What It Is]]'', released on April 8, 2016.

On April 8, 2019, Harper performed as a guest artist on the seventeenth season of ''[[American Idol]]'' during the second night of the “Top 20 Duets” episode. Harper sang with contestant [[Alejandro Aranda]], playing "[[There Will Be a Light]]".{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

At the 40th [[Blues Music Award]]s ceremony, Harper's joint composition with [[Charlie Musselwhite]], "No Mercy In This Land", was named as 'Song of the Year'.<ref name="auto"/>

On March 20, 2019, [[Mavis Staples]] announced the album ''[[We Get By]]'', featuring eleven tracks written and produced by Harper.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Blais-Billie|first1=Braudie|title=Mavis Staples Announces New Album We Get By, Shares New Song "Change"|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=March 20, 2019|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/mavis-staples-announces-new-album-we-get-by-shares-new-song-change-listen|access-date=May 19, 2019}}</ref> The title track, which features Harper on vocals and in the music video, was released on May 15, 2019.<ref name="youtube1">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Ks9w3PNxM | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211103/Z4Ks9w3PNxM| archive-date=2021-11-03 | url-status=live|title=Mavis Staples - "We Get By" (Feat. Ben Harper) |publisher=YouTube |date=2019-05-15 |access-date=2019-05-19}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2020 Harper released ''[[Winter Is for Lovers]]'', an album recorded with solo Monteleone lap steel songs. "It started out as an exploration of steel guitar," Harper told ''Acoustic Guitar'' magazine in a 2020 interview, "''Winter Is for Lovers'' is written as one piece of music; let's define that in the way that the old classical guitarists would have, on a single guitar (the Monteleone lap steel).<ref>{{Cite web|title=How a New Lap Steel Guitar Sparked Ben Harper's First Instrumental Album {{!}} Acoustic Guitar|date=November 30, 2020 |url=https://acousticguitar.com/how-a-new-lap-steel-guitar-sparked-ben-harpers-first-instrumental-album/|access-date=2021-03-26|language=en-US}}</ref>"

On June 9, 2021, Harper's longtime bassist, collaborator, and Innocent Criminals member, Juan Nelson, died at the age 62. Harper paid tribute to him, stating on Twitter: "Beloved husband, father, musical genius, BHIC band member of 27 years, and the finest man I've ever known. It's near impossible for me to put words to this pain and loss. Rest in Glory our beloved Reverend Juan." No cause of death has been confirmed.

On July 22, 2022, Harper released the album ''[[Bloodline Maintenance]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=ALBUM REVIEW: Ben Harper follows the roots of pain on ''Bloodline Maintenance'' |url=https://riffmagazine.com/album-reviews/ben-harper-bloodline-maintenance/ |website=riffmagazine.com |date=July 18, 2022 |access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref> The album is dedicated to the memory of Juan Nelson.

On June 2, 2023, Harper released his seventeenth album, ''[[Wide Open Light]]''. This is Harper's first album to feature mainly stripped-back acoustic songs with only one track featuring drums.

On April 1, 2024, ex-Innocent Criminals guitarist, Michael Ward died at the age of 57 due to complications from diabetes. On May 1st, 2025, Harper released new single, "Before The Rain Dried," in tribute to Ward.<ref name="k350">{{cite web | last=Aubrey | first=Elizabeth | title=The Wallflowers and School Of Fish guitarist Michael Ward dies, aged 57 | website=NME | date=7 April 2024 | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-wallflowers-and-school-of-fish-guitarist-michael-ward-dies-aged-57-3614380 | access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:BenHarperLauraDernDec09.jpg|thumb|Harper with his second wife, [[Laura Dern]], in December 2009|left|201x201px]]

In 1996, Harper married his first wife, Joanna.<ref name="people2002">{{Cite news|last=Miller|first=Samantha|date=February 4, 2002|title=Dern Happy|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20136353,00.html|url-status=dead|work=People|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130922160702/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20136353,00.html|archive-date=September 22, 2013|access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> They have two children together.<ref name="people2002"/> Harper and Joanna separated in 2000, and were divorced in 2001.<ref name="people2002"/>

Harper began dating actress [[Laura Dern]] after they met at one of his concerts in fall 2000.<ref name="people2002"/> Harper and Dern married on December 23, 2005, at their home in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 23, 2005|access-date=September 21, 2013|url=https://people.com/celebrity/actress-laura-dern-marries-ben-harper/|title=Actress Laura Dern Marries Ben Harper |work=People}}</ref> They have two children,<ref name=":0" /> son Ellery Walker (born August 2001)<ref name="people2002"/> and daughter Jaya (born November 2004).<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 2004|access-date=September 21, 2013|url=http://www.today.com/id/6646069/ns/today-entertainment/#.Uj5mBySxNSY|title=Laura Dern gives birth to a daughter |work=Today}}</ref> In 2006, the pair co-directed the video for his song "Better Way."<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW RELEASE: Ben Harper "Better Way" |url=https://www.videostatic.com/content/new-release-ben-harper-better-way |publisher=VideoStatic |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref> In October 2010, Harper filed for divorce from Dern, citing irreconcilable differences.<ref name="us2012">{{Cite news|date=July 9, 2012|access-date=September 21, 2013|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/laura-dern-reactivates-dormant-divorce-from-ben-harper-201297|title=Laura Dern Reactivates Dormant Divorce From Ben Harper|work=Us Weekly|first=Zach|last=Johnson}}</ref> They briefly reconciled and attended the [[2012 Golden Globe Awards]] together,<ref name="us2012" /> but Dern reactivated the divorce by filing a legal response in July 2012.<ref name="us2012" /> The divorce was finalized in September 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 11, 2013|access-date=September 11, 2013|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/11/laura-dern-ben-harper_n_3908989.html|title=Laura Dern, Ben Harper Divorce Is Finalized |work=Huffington Post}}</ref>

Harper married social advocate Jaclyn Matfus, on January 1, 2015.<ref name=":1" /> Their son Besso was born in June 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Ben Harper and Wife Jaclyn Matfus Welcomed a Baby Boy in June: Details|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/ben-harper-jaclyn-matfus-welcome-a-son-w504222/|magazine=US Magazine|access-date=March 10, 2017|date=March 9, 2017}}</ref>

Harper is a [[skateboarding|skateboarder]] who has trained with [[Rodney Mullen]] and he also owns a warehouse for his personal skateboarding. Harper co-owns the skateboarding brand Roller Horror with professional skateboarder Mike York.<ref>{{cite episode|author1=Chris Roberts|author2=Roger Bagley|name-list-style=amp|series=The Nine Club With Chris Roberts|title=16 - Ben Harper|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhkimD1YLY| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211103/9FhkimD1YLY| archive-date=2021-11-03 | url-status=live|website=YouTube|publisher=Google Inc.|access-date=28 September 2016|type=Video}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In September 2016, Harper appeared on ''The Nine Club'' skateboard podcast, hosted by [[Chris Roberts (skateboarder)|Chris Roberts]], where he discussed his relationship and history with skateboarding.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenineclub.com/the-nine-club-show-podcast/16-ben-harper/9/26/2016|title=#16 - Ben Harper|work=THE NINE CLUB WITH CHRIS ROBERTS|access-date=2017-06-26|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011182438/http://www.thenineclub.com/the-nine-club-show-podcast/16-ben-harper/9/26/2016|archive-date=October 11, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On ''The Nine Club'', he also reveals that he went to school and began skateboarding with Chris Miller in [[Pomona, California]].

Harper's cousin is Washington State Supreme Court Justice [[Steven Gonzalez]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/06/25/vote-for-ben-harpers-cousin-for-state-supreme-court|title=Vote for Ben Harper's Cousin for State Supreme Court|access-date=January 11, 2021|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111224634/https://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/06/25/vote-for-ben-harpers-cousin-for-state-supreme-court|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
Harper supports [[Little Kids Rock]], a national nonprofit organization that works to restore and revitalize music education in disadvantaged U.S. public schools. In 2013, he donated items to their San Francisco Bay Area benefit concert.

On December 11, 2016, he played an acoustic benefit concert at [[Bimbo's 365 Club|Bimbos]] in San Francisco supporting New Light India's "Boys Home Project". Founded in 2000 by Urmi Basu, New Light India provides shelter, educational opportunities, recreational facilities, healthcare and legal aid for the girls and women in [[Kalighat]], notorious for its red light district.

Harper and his wife, Jaclyn, have been long-time supporters<ref>{{cite news |title=Ben Harper marries third wife Jaclyn Matfus |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/hook-ups-break-ups/ben-harper-marries-third-wife-jaclyn-matfus/news-story/e77d5197fff9f711ad93707fa9577223 |work=news.com.AU |date=25 February 2015}}</ref> of [[International Medical Corps]]’ work around the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they supported the organization's work in California, and Harper recorded a song<ref>{{cite news |title=Ben Harper—International Medical Corps' Supporter |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfrsN6_Uac4&list=PLjXJ52z-MHwcKx9vQHWAuBfqcmBQczE4j&index=23 |work=YouTube.com |date=10 November 2020}}</ref> to benefit International Medical Corps’ global relief efforts.

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! [[Award ceremony|Award Show]]
! Award/Nomination
|-
|2003
|''[[Rolling Stone]]'' (France)
|Artist of the Year
|-
|2005
|[[Grammy Award]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance#2000s|Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance]]
|-
|2005
|Grammy Award
|[[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album#2000s|Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album]]
|-
|2014
|Grammy Award
|[[Grammy Award for Best Blues Album#2010s|Grammy Award for Best Blues Album]]
|}

==Discography==
{{Main|Ben Harper discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
<!-- This is a summary list of studio albums ONLY, not EPs, demos, live albums, or compilations. The full list of releases can be found at the separate discography article. -->
* ''[[Welcome to the Cruel World]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Fight for Your Mind]]'' (1995)
* ''[[The Will to Live]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Burn to Shine (album)|Burn to Shine]]'' <small>(with The Innocent Criminals)</small> (1999)
* ''[[Diamonds on the Inside]]'' (2003)
* ''[[There Will Be a Light]]'' <small>(with The Blind Boys of Alabama)</small> (2004)
* ''[[Both Sides of the Gun]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Lifeline (Ben Harper album)|Lifeline]]'' <small>(with The Innocent Criminals)</small> (2007)
* ''[[White Lies for Dark Times]]'' <small>(with Relentless7)</small> (2009)
* ''[[Give Till It's Gone]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Get Up! (Ben Harper album)|Get Up!]]'' <small>(with Charlie Musselwhite)</small> (2013)
* ''[[Childhood Home]]'' <small>(with Ellen Harper)</small> (2014)
* ''[[Call It What It Is]]'' <small>(with The Innocent Criminals)</small> (2016)
* ''[[No Mercy in This Land]]'' <small>(with Charlie Musselwhite)</small> (2018)
* ''[[Winter Is for Lovers]]'' (2020)
* ''[[Bloodline Maintenance]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Wide Open Light]]'' (2023)

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1998–2001
| ''[[Daria]]''
| Episode: "See Jane Run" (Song: "Faded")<br />Episode: "Camp Fear" (Song: "Burn to Shine")
|-
| 2001
| ''[[I Am Sam]]''
| Song: "Strawberry Fields Forever"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2002
| ''[[Standing in the Shadows of Motown]]''
| Songs: "[[Ain't Too Proud To Beg]]"/"[[I Heard It Through the Grapevine]]"
|-
| ''[[Searching for Debra Winger]]''
| Song: "The Three of Us"
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2003
| ''[[rage (TV program)|rage]]''
| Episode: "Grinspoon Guest Program Rage"<br />Song: "Ground on Down"
|-
| ''[[One Tree Hill (TV series)|One Tree Hill]]''
| Episode: "Crash Into You"<br />Song: "Empty Apartment"
|-
| ''[[Joan of Arcadia]]''
| Episode: "Death Be Not Whatever"<br />Song: "Blessed to Be a Witness"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2004
| ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
| Episode: "Donald Trump/[[Toots and the Maytals]]"<br />Song: "Love Gonna Walk Out on Me"
|-
| ''[[Sleepover (film)|Sleepover]]''
| Song: "Walk Away"
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Trust the Man]]''
| Song: "Everything"
|-
|rowspan="4"| 2006
| ''[[Akeelah and the Bee]]''
| Song: "Everything"
|-
| ''[[The O.C.]]''
| Episode: "The Dawn Patrol"<br />Song: "Waiting For You"
|-
| ''[[CSI: NY]]''
| Episode: "And Here's to You, Mrs. Azrael"<br />Song: "Walk Away"
|-
| ''Ultimate Sessions''
| Song: "Whipping Boy"
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Arctic Tale]]''
| Song: "Happy Ever After in Your Eyes"
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2008
| ''[[Henry Poole Is Here]]''
| Song: "Morning Yearning"
|-
| ''[[Wetlands Preserve|Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub]]''
| Song: "People Lead"
|-
| ''[[Daylight Robbery (2008 film)|Daylight Robbery]]''
| Song: "Diamonds On The Inside"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2009
| ''[[State of Play (film)|State of Play]]''
| Song: "Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm Eating"
|-
| ''[[House (TV series)|House]]''
| Episode: "Brave Heart"<br />Song: "Faithfully Remain"
|-
|rowspan="5"| 2010
| ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]''
| Episode: 2.152 (Song: "Father's Song")<br />Episode: 2.7 (Songs: "With a Little Help from My Friends", "Walk With You")
|-
| ''Les Petits Mouchoirs''
| Song: "Amen Omen"
|-
| ''[[Vampire Diaries]]''
| Episode: Katerina<br />Song: "Amen Omen"
|-
| ''[[The Fighter]]''
| Song: "Glory & Consequence"
|-
| ''Close to the Dream''
| Song: "Better Way"
|-
| 2010–2011
| ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]''
| Episode: October 11, 2010 (Song: "Father's Son")<br />Episode: May 25, 2011 (Song: "Rock n' Roll is Free")
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Wretches & Jabberers]]''
| Song: "More Like You"
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2012
| ''[[The Girl (2012 HBO film)|The Girl]]''
| Song: "Waiting on an Angel"
|-
| ''[[Redfern Now]]''
| Episode: Raymond<br />Song: "Not Fire Not Ice"
|-
| ''Bones Brigade: An Autobiography''
|
|-
| 2010–2013
| ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''
| Episode February 2, 2012 (Song: "Lay There & Hate Me")<br />Episode May 18, 2011 (Song: "Rock n' Roll is Free")<br />Episode April 29, 2013 (Song: "We Can't End This Way")
|-
| 2011–2013
| ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]''
| Episode May 24, 2011 (Song: "Rock n' Roll is Free")<br />Episode November 18, 2011 (Song: "Save the Hammer for the Man")<br />January 22, 2013 (Song: "I Don't Believe a Word You Say")
|-
| 2014
| ''[[The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson]]''
| Episode: June 13, 2014<br />Song: "Learn It All Again Tomorrow"
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Extrapolations (TV series)|Extrapolations]]''
| Episode: "2070: Ecocide" (Character: Tyrone Downs)
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q380849|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|wikt=no|c=category:Ben Harper|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}
* {{official website}}
* [http://www.benharper.biz Official Ben Harper shop]
* {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20150313094831/http://www.innocentcriminals.net/ Ben Harper International Forum]}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090423054047/http://www.natgeochannel.co.uk/earthday/ben-harper-live Ben Harper Live for Earth Day on National Geographic]}}
* [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/ben-harper Ben Harper at RollingStone.com]
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000792733}}
* {{Discogs artist|Ben Harper}}
* {{IMDb name|0363816}}

{{Ben Harper}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harper, Ben}}
[[Category:Ben Harper| ]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
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[[Category:20th-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
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