They are known for their extensive use of segues in live performances, and could be considered a key part of the re-emerging jam band scene of the 1990s, spearheading the H.O.R.D.E.

Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.

Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's mainstream success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.

In addition to some original songs, their repertoire included upbeat covers of "Gloria" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

[4][5] The group shared an apartment on Bergen Street[3] in Brooklyn, New York, along with their high school friend, singer Chris Barron.

[2][6] A second band that Popper and Hill founded, called The Trucking Company, soon became The Spin Doctors with Barron as their frontman.

Blues Traveler released their self-titled debut album in 1990,[8] with the song "But Anyway" getting airplay on college radio stations.

Around this time, the mainstream national audience was exposed to Blues Traveler by television host David Letterman,[8] who has introduced them as "[his] favorite band".

The band's fourth album, titled four, was produced by the team of Michael Barbiero and Steve Thompson and released in late 1994.

The group recorded the Johnny Rivers song "Secret Agent Man" for the film Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls at Icon Recording Studios in St. Louis, Missouri and the Bob Seger song "Get Out of Denver" for the film Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, as well as Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'" for Rebel Highway: Cool and the Crazy.

The band also appeared in the film Blues Brothers 2000 and on its soundtrack, playing "Maybe I'm Wrong", an original composition with a classic blues-rock sound.

That summer, John Popper had emergency heart surgery due to artery blockage, forcing the band to cancel their annual July 4 Red Rocks shows at the last minute.

During the hiatus, Popper released a solo album with a backing band consisting of drummer Carter Beauford and members of the group Cycomotogoat.

On August 20, 1999, Bobby Sheehan was found dead in his New Orleans, Louisiana, home, where he had been recording music with some friends the night before.

Sheehan's death was ruled an accidental drug overdose, with cocaine, Valium, and heroin found in his system.

Auditions for a new bassist were held in concert, and included Chan Kinchla's younger brother Tad, who was unanimously determined to be the best choice for the role.

The band discarded their concept album material, instead releasing a smaller online EP, Decisions of the Sky: A Traveler's Tale of Sun and Storm, and went to work collectively composing a new set of songs with the new lineup.

The songs "Girl Inside My Head" and "Just for Me" received airplay, but the album's sales fell somewhat short of expectations.

The band signed with Sanctuary Records for their next album, Truth Be Told, which achieved number 147 on The Top 200 chart.

The group recorded the title track to the Sandra Boynton children's album Dog Train, which was also used as the promotional music for the American Kennel Club's National Championship event.

After the tour John Popper and Lisa Bouchelle recorded the song "Only The Tequila Talking", which was released on her album Bleu Room with a Red Vase in 2010.

In March 2012, Blues Traveler released a double-disc compilation titled 25 on Hip-O Records; the album commemorates the band's silver anniversary and includes their hit singles, new covers, and previously unreleased B-side material.

[23] The EP contained songs "Funky B*tch" and "Ball and Chain" which Features Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.

[24] Blues Traveler allows and encourages fans to record and trade live performances,[25] provided that no money changes hands and no profit is made.

[26] This tradition started in 1994, when Blues Traveler was opening for The Allman Brothers Band at the venue for two nights, July 3 and 4.

The next year, the band booked the HORDE festival to play there on Independence Day, and in 1994 the current tradition began in earnest.