Born on March 6, 1951 in Ocean City, New Jersey. Walter played on the east coast in the late 60s and early 70s before moving to Los Angeles. He would eventually be a sideman for John Lee Hooker, Percy Mayfield, Big Mama Thornton and others.

Walter was the lead guitarist for Canned Heat between 1981 and 1984. They toured extensively in the U.S., Europe and Australia. He became the lead guitarist for John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers in 1984 following Peter Green and Eric Clapton. He would leave the Bluesbreakers in 1989 to form the Walter Trout Band. Walter has said the time the Bluesbreakers gave him great success but he engaged in self-destructive behaviors off the stage. An encounter with Carlos Santana was instrumental in his changing course.

He has released over 25 albums since leading his namesake bands. In 2014, Walter had a life saving liver transplant and his release “Battle Scars” shares journey through that time.