Christopher Charles Burroughs grew up in West Milford, New Jersey. He studied journalism at Rutgers University before moving to Tucson to pursue his dream of a career in music. With a penchant for language, he put pen to paper. Combining social commentary and vagabond philosophy, vivid storytelling became his musical trademark.
In the summer of 1982 Chris Burroughs and the Nationals made their debut playing local clubs—Nino’s, Dooley’s and such—leaping onto the scene with contemporaries Eighty Go Ninety, Jonny Sevin and The Fred’s. The Nationals spent the next two years playing dive bars and watering holes from Bisbee to Flagstaff before the bright lights of Los Angeles beckoned.
“We would do something like eighteen one-nighters in a row… And only play three cities,” Burroughs was quoted as saying.
Burroughs released six albums—his debut West of Texas (Triple Bar Records) was released in 1988—and appeared on numerous others. In addition to The Nationals, he fronted Chris Burroughs and the Mercenaries and most recently Hardpan, with stints in Yard Trauma, Losers Club and Creosote, acquiring fans throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Christopher Charles Burroughs passed away unexpectedly at his Tucson home on Monday, Nov 19. He was 60 years old.
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2018.
first time i saw him in a very little bar in duisburg / germany acting together with neal casal. a friend of me,another elder guy , the bartende
and his girlfriend were the audience.
later i was always impressed to visit his concerts in wesel/ germany together with hardpan all the vears they cam there.
my favourite song? something more.
he was good one!