Born in Stockton, California in 1956, Chris Isaak showed an affinity for music early on. At only eight months, young Chris showed a response to country music his mother would play on the radio. After graduating from Stagg High School as a class valedictorian, Isaak attended University of the Pacific in Stockton where he majored in English literature. While in school, Isaak first heard Elvis Presley’s early recordings for the Sun Records label, which were a revelation for the young, impressionable Isaak. The records introduced the young artist to the sounds of rockabilly and early rock'n roll, which would shape the songwriter’s career.

Shortly after graduating from the University in 1980, Isaak sojourned to Japan where he worked a number of odd jobs including amateur boxer, film studio hand, and the occasional gig performing rockabilly tunes for eager audiences.

Upon his return to the states, Isaak gathered musician friends James Calvin Wilsey on guitar, bassist Rowland Salley and drummer Kenny Dale Johnson to form the rockabilly outfit, Silvertone. Isaak borrowed the band’s name for his debut release on Warner Brothers Records in 1985. While the Silvertone album was well received, it sold modestly. Much to Isaak and the band’s credit, however, the songs “Livin’ for Your Lover” and “Gone Ridin’” were picked by David Lynch for his eerie cinematic masterpiece, "Blue Velvet."

Isaak and the band dug in deeper, showcasing the band’s late-night, lovelorn sound on the 1987 release, Chris Isaak. With this album full of impressive performances, the band made a dent in the Billboard charts and cracked the Top 200. Not long afterwards the release of the album, Isaak’s acting career began in earnest when the songwriter scored a bit part in the Jonathan Demme comedy, "Married to the Mob." His turn would prove the beginning of a long career in front of the camera.

Heart Shaped World appeared in 1989, though it wasn’t until the song “Wicked Game” appeared in David Lynch’s "Wild at Heart" the following year that sales of the moody masterpiece took off. “Wicked Game” shot to the Top Ten, and the album was soon certified platinum. Shortly afterwards, Isaak returned the favor to the filmmaker when he appeared in Lynch’s "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me" in 1992.

After a return to the studio with the Silvertones and new songs in hand, the deceptively retro-designed San Francisco Days appeared in 1993. Not only did the album retain Isaak’s homage to the sounds of early rock’n roll, the album came complete with a deceptively vintage-looking photo of Isaak on the cover, further tipping the proverbial hat to Isaak’s early rock’n roll influences. San Francisco Days reached number 35 on the Billboard Top 200, and paved the way for the success of Isaak’s fiercely beautiful Forever Blue in 1995. While it wasn’t immediately a hit, “Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing” from Forever Blue would resurface a few years later when it became the de facto theme song for Stanley Kubrick’s "Eyes Wide Shut."

Isaak’s follow-up, Baja Sessions bore a more relaxed side of Isaak, bringing out his obvious affinity for California, and the singer’s own inner beach bum. The album also welcomed guitarist Hershel Yatovitz to the fold. Speak of the Devil, an album full of originals, homage, and indie rock rave-ups followed in 1998.

Since his appearance in Married to the Mob Isaak became an in-demand actor. The songwriter/actor graced screens with notable turns in The Silence of the Lambs, That Thing You Do!, and Grace of My Heart. It was no surprise to those that had seen Isaak’s considerable acting chops then, that Showtime launched the aptly titled “The Chris Isaak Show” in 2001. The program took an irreverent view on the personal and professional lives of Isaak, his band mates and their relationships with those encountered through their daily dealings as working musicians.

Isaak and the band returned to the studio for 2002’s for the effortlessly cool Always Got Tonight. Chris Isaak Christmas, a mix of standard favorites and new holiday classics, appeared just in time for Christmas 2004.