Artist Roster |
Al McKay / The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience
Official Website : | www.almckay.com |
MySpace: | www.myspace.com/almckay |
YouTube: |
www.youtube.com/user/RhythymRecords |
Territory of Representation
Non-exclusive representation (in collaboration with GLP)
In a nutshell
Over the course of his extraordinary career that is now entering its fifth decade of uninterrupted music-making, Al McKay has established a reputation as one of the most innovative and influential artists of his generation. A musician's musician, McKay's professional portfolio (from Herbie Hancock to Celine Dion!) puts him front and center in many of the pivotal moments in modern music history and even if his name doesn't immediately ring a bell, there's no mistaking his unique and distinctive sound. Simply put, Al McKay is the real McCoy: world famous guitarist, multi-platinum songwriter, veteran session player, sideman and in-demand instrumentalist (both on stage and in the studio), bandleader of international renown, and more!
Biography
Born in the musical melting pot of New Orleans, both his mother and father
were accomplished artists in their own right. But it was his uncle who introduced
the five year-old Al to his first guitar and, after seeing Elvis Presley
in Loving You, the fledgling musician's career path was set. With influences
that ranged from Freddie King to Duane Eddy; The Everly Brothers to James
Brown, Al took his talent and ambition with him when he relocated to Southern
California to live with an aunt after his mother took ill.
Continuing to polish his guitar chops, Al landed his first professional
gig at the tender age of eighteen, not long after his high school graduation.
A mutual friend had invited him to meet R&B kingpin Ike Turner, and when
Al pointed out a mistake Turner was making while rehearsing a version of
The Temptations' "Losing You" with his band, he was offered a job
on the spot as guitarist for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.
A musical education second to none, Al's tenure with the Revue lasted
a year and a half, after which time he returned to his L.A. home base where
he immediately garnered a reputation as a versatile session player, working
on stage and in the studio with an diverse array of jazz, pop and R&B
artists and eventually landing a short stint with funk progenitors, Charles
Wright and the Watts 103rd St. Band.
Through his connections on the burgeoning L.A. music scene, Al was
subsequently introduced to the late great Sammy Davis Jr. who also hired
him on the spot after hearing him work out on the latest development for
guitar special effects, the wah-wah pedal. Constant touring, Las Vegas engagements
and the occasional studio session, all as part of Sammy's backing band further
honed Al's impressive abilities and when he finally moved on, there was no
shortage of offers to keep the hot young guitarist on the A-list. Everyone
from Andy Williams and Pearl Bailey to The Sylvers and Isaac Hayes made use
of his distinctive sound.
It was then that Al was approached by a freshly minted band out of
Chicago with a whole new music approach, who called themselves Earth, Wind & Fire.
The rest, as they say, is history. From 1973, when he first joined the group,
up until 1981 when he left to take a well-deserved break from the hectic
world of major musical stardom, Al was responsible not only for a lion's
share of the group's instantly recognizable sound, but was also writer and
co-writer on some of their most enduring hits. Along with founder Maurice
White, McKay penned such EW&F perennials as "September" and "SingaSong," which
both became chart-topping signature tracks for the group. But it wasn't only
within the band that Al's songwriting shined. As co-writer of The Emotion's
smash hit "The Best Of My Love," he contributed one of the most
enduring songs of the era, raising the bar on the art of pop craftsmanship
in the process.
After eight years, seven albums, uncounted thousands of tour miles
and a virtually un-equaled stack of hit records, Al left Earth, Wind & Fire.
While he continued to keep his hand in music through various production and
writing projects, his primary focus was on raising his young son. As a single
parent, Al turned aside from the demands of a busy career and for several
years kept a low profile to put the emphasis on his personal life.
When he re-emerged, in the early 90's, it was with a different direction
and whole new energy. Since live performing and having the chance to connect
directly with his audience has always been the single most satisfying aspect
of Al's multi-faceted career, it's no surprise that his comeback would entail
gathering the best and brightest musicians to create an unparalleled concert
experience. As the front man for what became variously known as The L.A.
All-Stars and the Al McKay All-Stars, he fashioned a large and revolving
cast of supporting players to fully explore new musical territory, even as
they helped to celebrate Al's incredible history with performance highlights
from his years with Earth, Wind & Fire.
In 2001 Al McKay released "Al Dente", his first ever solo offering
and solid evidence that this remarkable artist is creating some of the most
vital, engaging and purely entertaining music of his career. Featuring a
sparkling selection of hits from Al's long-running tenure as a member of
the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire, including sterling renditions of such
chart toppers as "Getaway," "Evil," "Love's Holiday," "Singasong," "Fantasy" and "September," Al
Dente also includes a sampling of some of the artist's newest original tracks
that showcase the songwriting skills of this multi-talented individual. Add
to that the consummate craftsmanship and passionate performances of Al's
all-star backing band and the result is an auspicious solo debut from one
of the truly legendary names in contemporary music.
Since then, The Al Mckay All-Stars have become a premier international
concert draw, gathering both die hard fans and a whole new generation of
music lovers who are only now discovering this singularly talented artist
with a sound that belongs to no one else.
Obviously Al McKay is back where he belongs: on top!
(source : www.almckay.com / edited by Quentin Geerinckx)
