During his high school years, he met with Steve Miller, and soon became the lead vocalist in the band, The Marksmen.

Both went to the University of Wisconsin and played in a number of blues bands together. Scaggs left to head to London and experience the UK blues movement. He sang with a number of bands and recorded his first album Boz in 1965 which was not a commercial success.

Back in the States, he teamed up again with Steve Miller and appeared on the first two Steve Miller Band albums. It was during this time he was noticed by the publisher of Rolling Stone and obtained a recording contract with Atlantic Records. 

His first albums were critical, but not commercial successes. That was until his 1976 album Silk Degrees.

Reaching number 2 on the US charts and number 1 in a numerous other countries, the album spawned three hit singles - Lowdown, Lido Shuffle and What Can I Say. 

A sell-out world tour was next and he then recorded his next album - 1977's Down Two then Left continued this success as did 1980's Middleman which featured the hits Jojo and Breakdown Dead Ahead.  A greatest hits package called Hits! was also released that year. 

Scaggs semi-retired throughout the 1980's and 90's recording a number of critically acclaimed albums while managing and owning his nightclub in San Francisco called Slim's.

He recently recorded a live greatest hits and continues to tour. His loyal fan base is biggest in Japan where he remains hugely popular.