History of Gary Clark Jr. in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: December 5, 2024

Gary Clark Jr. is an American musician known for his blend of blues, rock, and soul music with hip hop influences. He signed with Warner Bros Records in 2011 and released The Bright Lights EP, followed by the full-length albums Blak and Blu (2012) and The Story of Sonny Boy Slim (2015). A dedicated live performer, his concerts have been captured in the albums Gary Clark Jr. Live (2014) and Gary Clark Jr Live/North America (2017).

1969: Original Release of "Come Together" by The Beatles

The Beatles originally released "Come Together" in 1969. This event is included for context for Gary Clark Jr.'s later cover.

February 15, 1984: Birth of Gary Clark Jr.

Gary Clark Jr. was born on February 15, 1984.

May 3, 2001: Gary Clark Jr. Day and Austin Music Awards

On May 3, 2001, seventeen-year-old Gary Clark Jr. was honored with "Gary Clark Jr. Day" by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. He has also won the Austin Music Award for Best Blues and Electric Guitarist three times.

2007: Performance at Monterey Jazz Festival

Gary Clark Jr. performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2007 as part of the promotion for the film Honeydripper.

2010: Performance at Crossroads Guitar Festival

Gary Clark Jr. performed at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2010, including a collaboration with Doyle Bramhall II, Sheryl Crow, and Eric Clapton.

2010: Collaboration with Sheryl Crow

Gary Clark Jr. sang on Sheryl Crow's cover of "I Want You Back" in 2010.

April 2011: Rolling Stone's "Best Young Gun"

Gary Clark Jr. was named "Best Young Gun" by Rolling Stone in April 2011.

June 2011: Performance at Bonnaroo Music Festival

Gary Clark Jr. played at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in June 2011.

November 2011: Spin Magazine Breakout Artist

In November 2011, Gary Clark Jr. was named Spin Magazine's breakout artist of the month.

2011: Signing with Warner Bros. Records and Release of The Bright Lights EP

In 2011, Gary Clark Jr. signed with Warner Bros. Records and released his debut EP, The Bright Lights.

2011: Bright Lights EP Ranked by Rolling Stone

In 2011, Rolling Stone magazine included Gary Clark Jr.'s Bright Lights EP, an homage to Jimmy Reed, at number 40 on their list of the top 50 albums of the year.

February 2012: Performance at Red, White and Blues Event

In February 2012, Gary Clark Jr. performed at the Red, White and Blues event at the White House, alongside B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, and Buddy Guy.

June 10, 2012: Performance at Bonnaroo Music Festival (Livestreamed)

Gary Clark Jr.'s performance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival on June 10, 2012, was livestreamed on YouTube.

June 2012: Guest Performances with Dave Matthews Band

Gary Clark Jr. guested with the Dave Matthews Band in June 2012, playing "Can't Stop" and "All Along the Watchtower".

August 28, 2012: Blak and Blu Release Date Announcement

On August 28, 2012, Alicia Keys announced the release date of Gary Clark Jr.'s album Blak and Blu.

October 22, 2012: Release of Blak and Blu

Blak and Blu was released on October 22, 2012, and reached number six on the Billboard 200 chart.

December 8, 2012: Performance with The Rolling Stones

Gary Clark Jr. performed "Going Down" with The Rolling Stones on December 8, 2012, at the Barclay's Center.

December 15, 2012: Performance with The Rolling Stones and John Mayer

On December 15, 2012, Gary Clark Jr. joined The Rolling Stones and John Mayer on stage to perform "Going Down".

2012: Eight Wins at the 31st Austin Music Awards

During the 2012-2013 season, Gary Clark Jr. won eight awards at the 31st Austin Music Awards, including Band of the Year, Musician of the Year, and Album of the Year for Blak and Blu.

2012: Collaboration with Alicia Keys

Gary Clark Jr. collaborated with Alicia Keys on two songs in 2012, including co-writing "Fire We Make".

2012: Release of Blak and Blu

Gary Clark Jr. released his debut studio album, Blak and Blu, in 2012.

2012: Golden Corndog Award and Festival Performances

In 2012, Gary Clark Jr. performed at numerous major North American music festivals, including Coachella, JazzFest, and Lollapalooza. This earned him Spin Magazine's Golden Corndog award.

May 13, 2013: Opening for Eric Clapton

Gary Clark Jr. opened for Eric Clapton on May 13, 2013, at the LG Arena in Birmingham, England.

June 12, 2013: Guest Performance with The Rolling Stones

Gary Clark Jr. performed "Going Down" with the Rolling Stones on June 12, 2013, at TD Garden in Boston.

June 30, 2013: Performance at Glastonbury Festival

Gary Clark Jr. performed at the Glastonbury Festival on June 30, 2013, and his performance was highly praised.

October 25, 2013: Appearance on Later... with Jools Holland

Gary Clark Jr. appeared on the British music show Later... with Jools Holland on October 25, 2013.

2013: Eight Wins at the 31st Austin Music Awards

During the 2012-2013 season, Gary Clark Jr. won eight awards at the 31st Austin Music Awards, including Band of the Year, Musician of the Year, and Album of the Year for Blak and Blu.

2013: Recording of Gary Clark Jr. Live

Gary Clark Jr. recorded his first live album, Gary Clark Jr. Live, during a tour between 2013 and 2014.

February 9, 2014: Performance at "The Night That Changed America"

Gary Clark Jr. performed "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with Dave Grohl and Joe Walsh at The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles on February 9, 2014.

February 16, 2014: Performance at NBA All-Star Game Halftime Show

Gary Clark Jr. performed at the NBA All-Star Game Halftime Show on February 16, 2014.

May 29, 2014: Performance at Rock in Rio Lisbon

Gary Clark Jr. performed at Rock in Rio in Lisbon on May 29, 2014.

2014: Release of Gary Clark Jr. Live

Gary Clark Jr. Live, a double album recorded over an 18-month tour, was released in 2014.

2014: Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance

Gary Clark Jr. won his first Grammy Award in 2014 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the song "Please Come Home".

2014: Blues Music Award Win

Gary Clark Jr. won the Blues Music Award for 'Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year' in 2014.

2014: Collaboration with Foo Fighters

In 2014, Gary Clark Jr. worked with the Foo Fighters on the track "What Did I Do? / God as My Witness" for their album Sonic Highways.

February 7, 2015: Guest Appearance on Austin City Limits

Gary Clark Jr. performed with the Foo Fighters and Jimmie Vaughan on Austin City Limits, which aired on February 7, 2015.

May 24, 2015: Opening for The Rolling Stones

Gary Clark Jr. opened for The Rolling Stones at Petco Park in San Diego on May 24, 2015.

July 4, 2015: Performance at Foo Fighters 20th Anniversary Show

Gary Clark Jr. performed at the Foo Fighters' 20th Anniversary show on July 4, 2015, at RFK Stadium.

September 11, 2015: Release of The Story of Sonny Boy Slim

Gary Clark Jr. released his album The Story of Sonny Boy Slim on September 11, 2015.

2015: Blues Music Award Win

Gary Clark Jr. won the Blues Music Award for 'Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year' in 2015.

2015: Release of The Story of Sonny Boy Slim

In 2015, Gary Clark Jr. released his second studio album, The Story of Sonny Boy Slim.

June 8, 2016: Performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Gary Clark Jr. performed with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on June 8, 2016.

June 26, 2016: Performance at Glastonbury Festival

Gary Clark Jr. performed at the Glastonbury Festival on June 26, 2016.

July 8, 2016: Performance at Basilica Block Party

Gary Clark Jr. performed at the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis on July 8, 2016.

2016: Live North America 2016 Tour

Gary Clark Jr. toured North America in 2016, which was recorded for his second live album.

2016: Collaborations with Tech N9ne and Childish Gambino

In 2016, Gary Clark Jr. collaborated with Tech N9ne on "No Gun Control" and with Childish Gambino on "The Night Me and Your Mama Met".

2016: Marriage, Family, Ranch Purchase, and "This Land" Inspiration

In 2016, Gary Clark Jr. married model Nicole Trunfio, and they later purchased a ranch in Kyle, Texas. Racist remarks from a neighbor about the purchase inspired his song "This Land."

2017: Collaboration with ZZ Ward on "Ride"

Gary Clark Jr. collaborated with ZZ Ward on the song "Ride" for the Cars 3 soundtrack in 2017.

2017: Release of Gary Clark Jr Live/North America

Gary Clark Jr. released his second live album, Live North America, in 2017.

2017: Release of "Come Together" Cover and Inclusion in Justice League

Gary Clark Jr.'s cover of "Come Together" was released in 2017 and featured in the film Justice League.

2017: Release of Live North America 2016

Gary Clark Jr.'s second live album, Live North America 2016, was released in 2017.

2018: Collaboration with Bun B and Leon Bridges

In 2018, Gary Clark Jr. featured on two songs on Bun B's album Return of the Trill, collaborating with Leon Bridges.

January 10, 2019: This Land Announcement and Title Track Release

On January 10, 2019, Gary Clark Jr. announced his album This Land and released the title track with a music video directed by Savanah Leaf.

February 16, 2019: Saturday Night Live Performance

On February 16, 2019, Gary Clark Jr. performed "Pearl Cadillac" and "This Land" on NBC's Saturday Night Live.

February 28, 2019: The Daily Show Performance

On February 28, 2019, Gary Clark Jr. performed "This Land" on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

March 1, 2019: Release of This Land

Gary Clark Jr.'s album This Land was released on March 1, 2019.

July 7, 2019: Rolling Stones Concert Opening and Guest Performance

On July 7, 2019, Gary Clark Jr. opened for the Rolling Stones at Gillette Stadium during their No Filter Tour. He also joined them on stage for a performance of "Ride 'Em on Down".

2020: Grammy Nominations and Wins

As of 2020, Gary Clark Jr. has been nominated for six Grammy Awards and has won four.

2020: Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance

In 2020, Gary Clark Jr. won two Grammy Awards for "This Land": Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance.

April 24, 2022: Performance at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony

On April 24, 2022, Gary Clark Jr. led the band, including Bruce Springsteen, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during Jon Stewart's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony.