'BLUES' (2005)
1. T-Bone Walker
2. B.B. King
3. Stevie Ray Vaughan
4. Robert Johnson
5. Albert King
6. Eric Clapton
7. Buddy Guy
8. Muddy Waters
9. Otis Rush
10. Johnny Winter
11. Peter Green
12. Ronnie Earl
13. Freddie King
14. Mike Bloomfield
15. Earl Hooker
16. Elmore James
17. Albert Collins
18. Hubert Sumlin
19. Duane Allman
20. John Lee Hooker
21. Son House
22. Robert Cray
23. Jimmie Vaughan
24. Billy Gibbons
25. Lonnie Johnson

26. Roy Buchanan
27. Duke Robillard
28. Clarence"Gatemouth"Brown
29. Blind Lemon Jefferson
30. Charley Patton
31. Ry Cooder
32. Lonnie Mack
33. Warren Haynes
34. Son Seals
35. Robert Nighthawk
36. Gary Moore
37. Luther Allison
38. Mississippi Fred McDowell
39. Robben Ford
40. Roy Rogers
41. Jimmy Thackery
42. Lonnie Brooks
43. Keb Mo
44. Mick Taylor
45. Lightnin' Hopkins
46. Corey Harris
47. Steve Cropper
48. Taj Mahal
49. Blind Willie Johnson
50. Shuggie Otis
51. Robin Trower
52. Johnny Copeland
53. Rory Gallagher
54. Kim Simmonds
55. Elvin Bishop
56. Harvey Mandel
57. Coco Montoya
58. Alvin Lee
59. Jeff Healey
60. Robert Lockwood Jr.
61. Scrapper Blackwell
62. Hound Dog Taylor
63. Fenton Robinson
64. Blind Blake
65. Earl King
66. Magic Sam
67. Guitar Slim
68. John Hammond
69. Sonny Landreth
70. Smokin' Joe Kubek
71. Dave Hole
72. Alvin "Youngblood" Hart
73. Chris Vachon
74. Derek Trucks
75. Lowell George
76. Matt "Guitar" Murphey
77. Wayne Bennett
78. Amos Garrett
79. Tinsley Ellis
80. Hollywood Fats
81. Rod Price
82. George Thorogood
83. J.B. Lenoir
84. Kid Ramos
85. Luther Tucker
86. Bonnie Raitt
87. Lowell Fulson
88. Pee Wee Crayton
89. Little Charley Baty
90. Joe Louis Walker
91. Eddie Taylor
92. Guitar Shorty
93. Chris Duarte
94. Skip James
95. Anson Funderburgh
96. Keith Wyatt
97. Little Milton
98. Blind Willie McTell
99. Robert "Pete" Williams
100. Stan Webb

The above lists are with courtesy of Digital Dream Door Site
They are not compiled by myself. They have a page for your comments ~ which I am sure you have many!

"YOUR CHOICES"

I agree, there are too many overlooked or under-rated musicians, the young musicians growing in the shadows of the greats and not to forget the session players and
the soloists who don't get the media attention of band musicians.
If not on the above lists Email your choice.

MATO NANJI

Power rock-blues guitarist, Mato Nanji grew up on South Dakota's Yankton Indian Reservation, where his father, Greg Zephier a musician in his own right, taught him guitar from a very early age. Mato was also influenced by B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Santana, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan among others and he formed the band "Indigenous" with other members of his family, 2 brothers, his sister and a cousin. The band released their debut album, 'Things We Do' in 1998. With this album, in 1999, Indigenous won three Native American Music Awards: Album of the Year, Group of the Year, and Best Pop Group. Mato's powerful 3rd album 'Live at Pachyderm Studios' won the band more awards: Blues Album of the Year and Group of the Year. As well as headlining its own tours, the band has shared the stage with artists of various musical genres such as B.B. King, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, the Indigo Girls, Jackson Browne, Dave Matthews Band, and Los Lonely Boys. Over the years the line up has changed and Mato with his band has released seven albums to date. But Mato and Indigenous are releasing their welcomed and 8th album 'Broken Lands', show-casing his amazing and ever maturing guitar techniques on Aug 19th 2008 on Vanguard Records.
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STEVE GAINES

Steven Earl Gaines was born in Miami, Oklahoma, and took up the guitar after seeing The Beatles in concert as a teenager. His first band, The Ravens, made its first recording at the famous Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Steve also recorded several songs with friend and producer John Ryan, but these were not released until 1988 by MCA Records as Steve's only solo album, "One in the Sun". He played with several other bands in the early 70's including RIO Smokehouse, Rusty Day, Detroit and Crawdada, before joining the Lynyrd Skynyrd band in 1976, replacing guitarist Ed King. Steve's guitar and songwriting skills were a major contribution to the band, as proven on the 1977 album Street Survivors. Sadly only 3 days after this album was released Steve and other members of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band tragically died in an airplane crash. The crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, his sister Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, as well as pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray. A little peice of Steve's and his sister Cassie's lives are honored in the 2001 song "Cassie's Brother" by the alt-country band Drive-By Truckers.
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RIK EMMETT

Richard Gordon "Rik" Emmett was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1975 he formed the Canadian heavy metal power trioTriumph. Eight of the band's albums were certified gold or higher, and Triumph was nominated for multiple Juno Awards, including Group of the Year Award in 1979, 1985, 1986 and 1987. Rik decided to leave Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career. His debut solo album, "Absolutely", showcasing his rock, blues, jazz, classical, bluegrass and flamenco techniques was released in 1990 and became a massive hit across North America, the album produced two hit singles "When a Heart Breaks" and "Saved by Love". Rik also started to write for Guitar Player magazine and teach a music at Humber College. On March 10, 2007, re-united with Triumph, Rik and the band were inducted to the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame, all the original members of the group were present for the event, and April 6, 2008, saw Rik and Triumph inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame as part of the Juno Awards. On January 18, 2008, Triumph announced they had united to play in the Sweden Rock Festival in June 2008, then Rik and the band are gearing up for world tour in 2009. Rik, at the same time, will still be working on his successful solo career and projects.
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MICK JONES

Born Micheal Geoffrey Jones in South London, Mick was inspired by such bands as Mott The Hoople, MC5 and the New York Dolls. As a teenager he began playing in local bands, including the Delinquents, Little Queenies, and London S.S., before the formation of The Clash, The Clash played their first show, July 4th '76 opening for the Sex Pistols, in Sheffield, England. The band quickly became one of the leaders of the punk rock movement in the U.K. Mick and Joe Strummer co-wrote almost all of the tracks, and by the 80's the Clash had become one of the top rock bands in the world with albums including London Calling, Sandinista! and Combat Rock. But in 1983, tension in the band led to Mick leaving the band. After producing a few artists such as singer Ellen Foley and former Mott the Hoople leader Ian Hunter, he formed the band Big Audio Dynamite, known as B.A.D., changing the name to Big Audio Dynamite II, / BAD 11, in 1991. The bands have recorded 10 albums to date. In 2002, Mick teamed up with Tony James to form a band named Carbon/Silicon. The band has toured the United Kingdom and has performed a number of anti-fascist benefit concerts; they have also recorded three albums, A.T.O.M, Western Front and The Crackup Suite. He recently provided the score for Nick Mead's film, Dice Life - the Random Mind of Luke Rhinehart. In 2003, Mick along Terry Chimes, Topper Headon, Paul Simonon, Joe Strummer was inducted in to The Rock 'n' Rock Hall Of Fame as The Clash, and at the NME Shockwave 2007 awards, Mick performed with Primal Scream.
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RICO McFARLAND

American guitarist, Rico McFarland was born and raised in Chicago, grewing up influenced and inspired by his father James, also a guitar player who had a blues band. Their family home was always full of music and musicians jamming the blues since the time he can remember. Rico has also been influenced by the likes of Little Milton, Willie James, Hubert Sumlin, Wayne Bennet, Mel Brown, Grant Green, Jeff Beck and Albert King. Over the years he has played with many of the great blues artists including Albert King, Little Milton, Al Green, Big Time Sarah, Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, Artie White, Kinsey Report and many more. He is probably best known for all his work with James Cotton and Lucky Peterson. After many years as one of the blues' most sought after guitarist in the studio and on the stage, Rico broke out as a solo act in 2001 and recorded his solo debut album, "Tired of Being Alone" with many of his friends guesting, including vocalists Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, Billy Branch, and Teela. The album won much acclaim and earned Rico a 2002 W.C. Handy nomination for Best New Artist of the Year. As well as a busy composing, performing and recording career, Rico enjoys visiting the children in their schools teaching and spreading the music of the blues.
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STRUNZ & FARAH

Guitarist Jorge Strunz was born into a Costa Rican family and started playing guitar at aged 6 while in Costa Rica. His father was a diplomat, so Jorge grew up studying and playing flamenco and classical guitar in Colombia, Spain, Mexico, England and Canada. From aged 16 until he was 21 he played flamenco guitar professionally, accompanying Spanish dancers and singers, when he decided to focus more on his own Latin American roots, later incorporating jazz, Afro-Latin and Latin American folk forms. The travels of his diplomat father eventually took Jorge to the United States, where in 1976 he and keyboardist Eduardo del Barrio formed the band Caldera, a band that combined jazz, funk and rock with a wide variety of Latin music. Jorge recorded 4 albums with the band. Guitarist Ardeshir Farah was born in Iran, educated and raised both Iran and then England when the family moved to Britain. He played guitar from a very early age, studying Middle Eastern music, classical acoustic guitar and some popular music, he played in various groups as a teenager. Ardeshir crossed the seas once more this time to America, to continue his educational studies in agriculture. In 1979, Ardeshir saw Jorge playing in his band Caldera and very soon after they met and there was an instant rappor and love of the same music and direction. Within a year, 2 worlds entwined, they had formed the Strunz & Farah Duo, combining the ingredients of Latin and Middle Eastern music, they released their debut album "Mosaico" in 1980, which in turn started their own label: "Selva Records", (meaning Jungle). When Richard Bock, an important figure in jazz radio, heard this amazing guitar duo, he got them a contract with famous jazz label Milestone. Since then they have collaborated with the likes of Rubén Blades, Sting, L. Subramaniam and others, recorded 15 albums as a duo, their lated recording to date being "Jungle Guitars".
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KEITH URBAN

Keith Urban was born in Whangarei, New Zealand, but later moved with his parents to Queensland, Australia. He began learning guitar and singing techniques at age six, by age seven his ambition was to make his mark in Nashville, at age eight he began winning young singing contests. By twelve he was booking his band in local clubs, and at 15 he quit school to hit the road. He signed with EMI-Australia in 1990, recording his first solo album, which charted four No. 1 country hits in Australia. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1992, where he found work as a guitarist for Brooks & Dunn and can be seen backing Alan Jackson in his music video for "Mercury Blues". Later, Keith formed The Ranch, a three-piece group that released one album in 1997, then disbanded the group to pursue a solo career in 1998. His 3rd album "Be Here", debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart and has sold more than 4 million copies in the U.S. alone. It spawned a staggering three No. 1s on Billboard's Country Singles Chart: "Better Life," "Making Memories Of Us" and Days Go By." and was nominated or won no fewer than 16 awards around the globe, including two Grammy nominations, CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year, ACM Album and Male Vocalist of the Year and an ARIA for Best Country Release. He has to date, released 1 gold, 1 platinum and 3 multi-platinum albums. Keith has won an impressive 53 awards in all, from 1977's CCMA's Best Solo Act when he was only 10 years old to 2008's Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Stupid Boy", including 6 Golden Guitars Awards.
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JOHN BUTLER

Guitarist John Butler began his musical career as a busker in Fremantle, Australia. He formed his own band The John Butler Trio in the 1995, recording their debut album 'John Butler' in 1998 and 2nd album in 2000. His playing style incorporates Western and Eastern styles such as blues, Indian and Celtic. John and his trio's breakthrough came with the 'Three' album in 2001, featuring the tracks "Take" and "Betterman", both of which received considerable radio airplay on Australian alternative youth radio station Triple J and rated highly in their annual Top 100. Appearances at Big Day Out and other major festivals followed. By the time Sunrise Over Sea was released three years later, the single Zebra was getting extensive airplay on commercial radio and proved a major hit for the band. In 2006, the band promoted the album extensively in the United States. 2007, in Australia, John's Grand National album went straight to number 1 on the ARIA music album charts, the Trio alsowin Best Independent Release and Best Blues and Roots Album awards at the 2007 Aria Awards. This year, 2008, saw the release of John's debut solo album "One Small Gap".
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JOSH FARRO

Up and coming young musician Josh Farro started his guitar playing at the age of 13, influenced by the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Sunny Day Real Estate, Death Cab for Cutie, John Mayer, James Taylor. While at school in Franklin, Tennessee, Josh and his younger drummer brother Zac met up with singer Hayley Williams and bass player Jeremy Davis and they formed the band "Paramore" recording their debut album 'All We Know Is Falling' in 2005. They toured extensively promoting their music and in 2007, Paramore was named by British magazine NME as one of ten bands to watch out for in their "New Noise 2007" feature, and Rolling Stones declared them the band to watch. On December 31, 2007, Paramore performed on the MTV New Years Eve program which ran from 11:30PM to 1:00AM. Paramore was featured on the cover of February 2008 issue of Alternative Press magazine and voted "Best Band Of 2007" by the readers. The band was nominated for "Best New Artist" at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards presented in Feb 2008 but lost to Amy Winehouse, also early 2008 saw Paramore touring the United Kingdom, supporting their 2nd album Riot!.
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JOANNA CONNOR

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Joanna was drawn to the Chicago blues scene in the early 1980s, eventually sharing the stage with veteran blues musicians such as James Cotton, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, and A.C. Reed. By 1987 she had started her own band, The Joanna Connor Band, and recorded her first album "BelieveIt" in 1989. Joanna covers a range of modern blues, slide guitar and blues rock with her own compositions very much influenced by funk, rock, jazz and world music as well as delta blues. Her sense of melody, phrasing and dynamics along with a very modern technique make her a very funky, soulful and compelling guitarist. Joanna and her band are a frequent attraction at leading blues nightspots and all the major festivals in the USA and Canada. As a result of many overseas appearances, she has developed a strong following in Europe, South America and Japan, especially in Germany where she has been featured several times on national television. Joanna has recorded eight albums in all, the latest to date being the self titled "The Joanna Connor Band", releasd in 2002.
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TY TABOR

Ty Tabor from Mississippi, US, has been singing and playing guitar from an early age, playing an array of genre. His his influences have ranged from The Beatles to Jimi Hendrix to the original Alice Cooper Band. By his early teens he was appearing in his father's band, at bluegrass venues and festivals sharing the bill with bluegrass legends like Lester Flatt. Ty played in and toured the southern states with various bands in the 70's. Then in 1980 he met up with former friends bassist Doug Pinnick and drummer Jerry Gaskill and they formed a band "The Edge", soon to change it's name to 'Sneak Preview', which over time, turned into the progressive metal band 'King's X'. They have recorded 15 albums, the latest 'XV', to be released May 2008. After writing and performing almost exclusively for King's X for over 15 years, Ty debuted with a solo album, 'Naomi's Solar Pumpkin', in 1997, his fourth solo and last to date album 'Rock Garden' was released in 2006. Ty has played in numerous bands including Platypus, The Jelly Jam and Jughead and has guested on albums with Rez Band, Jerry Gaskill, Carmine Appice, Ayreon, Munetaka Higuchi, Greg Bissonette, Richie Scarlet , Influences and Connections, Maston and Morgan Cryar. He currently has an ambient / electronica style project with Wally Farkas called 'Xenuphobe'. They have 2 albums that were released through Molken Music and Ty continues playing with King's X and is currently recording material for a fifth solo album due out sometime in 2008.
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REB BEACH

Richard Earl "Reb" Beach born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania began playing piano and later guitar at an early age without any training whatsoever. He spent years jamming along with recordings of Aerosmith, Sammy Hagar and Ronnie Montrose. He was most influenced by Steve Morse with the Dixie Dregs, the complexity and the speed of the Dregs was a challenge. Reb had a very short spell at the Berkeley School of Music; he left and started recording some of his own material, a mix of Jazz / Rock fusion, which won him Annual Best Guitarist contest, after which he moved to New York. With in a year he had become a sought-after session player, working with the likes of Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Roger Daltrey, Chaka Kahn, Howard Jones, and Twisted Sister. It was also in New York were he met Kip Winger and Reb and Kip formed the band Winger. After recording and touring in support of three records with Winger, Reb returned to Pittsburgh sessioning on other artists' records and start collecting material for his solo work under the name The Reb Beach Project. Reb also at this time toured with Alice Cooper as lead guitarist for 3 years, until he replaced George Lynch in Dokken, where he co-wrote and recorded "Erase the Slate", the most successful Dokken record in many years. 2002 saw the reunion of Winger for a US tour, then in 2003 he got word from David Coverdale join the legendary Whitesnake. When not touring with Whitesnake, Reb continues with his solo work, his composing and teaching and touring guitar clinics and endorsing Suhr Guitars.
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FARAZ ANWAR

Faraz Anwar, born in Karachi, Pakistan was so highly influenced while in St. Paul and St. Andrew 6th grade by a Yngwie Malmsteen video, he took up playing the guitar. Starting in the studios as a session player in 1990, he worked hard on his techniques, covering many genre from acoustic classical guitar to jazz to Eastern Neo Classical and from classic rock right through to the shred of progressive metal. This has made him the most sort after session guitarist, ever, in Pakistan; to date has recorded with over 50 different musicians. In 1996 Faraz got a Scholarship from Berklee after he won the Berklee Outstanding Musical Achievement Award, but due to finances he could not take up on this. In 2001 the legendary guitar player Allan Holdsworth heard Faraz calling him "King of Guitars in Pakistan" and Faraz recorded his debut solo album "Abstract Point of View" on Allans label Gnarly Geezer Records, an album in which he wrote all the music & sequenced all the tracks himself. This album gave him international recognition and also made him the first ever Pakistani guitar player and second ever Pakistani musician to release an album internationally. As well as all this Faraz, now Pakistan's leading guitar player, has had many projects ... the black metal band "Dusk"; ... playing Eastern Neo Classical with fellow musician as " Yasir & Faraz"; ... classic rock under "Imran Raza & Faraz Anwar" and his band "Mizraab", all great musicians playing an assortment of genre with influences of jazz to rock to progressive metal, showcasing Faraz's many supurb guitar abilities from haunting classical acoutic to his exciting, clean, melodic shed... if you haven't yet heard Faraz, you are missing out.
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TOY CALDWELL

Guitarist Toy Caldwell, Jr. was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina and by the early '60s, he was in a band The Rants, while his brother Tommy played in a band called New Generation. In 1966, members of both bands merged to form The Toy Factory, and the group soon started gaining a lot of attention. In 1972 Toy and brother Tommy Caldwell founded The Marshall Tucker Band along with Doug Gray , George McCorkle , Paul Riddle and Jerry Eubanks, this was really a progression of Toy Factory. Toy quickly gained recognition among his fans and peers for his unique guitar style, which relied on him using his only his thumb as a pick.They soon signed with Capricorn Records and by 1973, had released their first EP, The Marshall Tucker Band. Through the 70s the band toured constantly, appearing on radio, TV and Festivals. They recorded a total of eight LPs for Capricorn Records before moving to Warner Brothers Records to release six more records. In 1980 Tommy died in a car crash, although devistated, Toy stayed with the band a further 4 years before calling it a day and forming his own band, which in 1985 took to the global road. In 1992, he released his long-awaited solo record with Cabin Fever Records. Sadly Toy died in 1993, not long after the relaese.. It was re-released on Charlie Daniel's Blue Hat Records label in 2000 and renamed, "Son Of The South". The recording featured guest stints from his old friend Charlie Daniels, as well as Greg Allman and Willie Nelson.
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JOHN TROPEA

American guitarist John Tropea began guitar studies at the age of 12. He continued at Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he studied jazz guitar, harmony, composition, and big band arranging. His influences at this time were mainly Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, others included Wes Montgomery, Johnny Smith, Louis Bonfa, Pat Martino and George Benson. After Berklee, he moved to New York in 1967, where he quickly became one of the most sought after session players. At this time too he started playing and touring with Eumir Deodato; they recorded 2 albums "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 Theme)" and "Super Strut" both in 1972. Over his so far 4 decade career he has played with countless stars and musicians, as well as having many successful and diverse projects with the likes of Alice Cooper: Goes to Hell, Eric Clapton: Journey Man, Harry Chapin: Cat’s in the Cradle, Paul Simon: Fifty Ways, and many others. John also has a very busy solo career touring, composing and recording with his own band, releasing his debut solo album “Tropea,” in 1975. To date he has released 10 solo albums, the last being "The Time Is Right" in 2007. Along with his own projects, his band, studio work and composing for TV and films, John also plays with the Original Blues Brothers Band.
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JOE BECK

Guitarist Joe Beck started playing with a banjo at 5 yaers old, but his big influence as a young 7 year old boy was Spanish classical guitarist Andrés Torres Segovia. Joe was born in Philadelphian, raised in SanFrancisco, before moving to New York were he graduated from high school in Glenn Rock New Jersey at seventeen where he had already been working professionally in bands for three or four years. In December 1967, he joined Miles Davis and his second great quintet of Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams in the studio to record a couple of tracks - the first time Miles used an electric instrumentalist. The two tracks recorded with Miles, "Circle In The Round" and "Water On The Pond" weren't released until long afterwards.
Joe has gone on to be a highly sort after session guitarist playing in a variety of jazz mediums, including jazz fusion, post bop, mainstream jazz, soul jazz as well as a little rock in his early carrer. He has played and recorded with numerous artists, including Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Paul Desmond, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Ali Ryerson, Larry Coryell, Gene Ammons, Sergio Mendez, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jimmy Bruno, Laura Nyro, Houston Person, Roger Kellaway, Richie Havens, Paul Simon, Joe Farrell, James Brown, David Sanborn and Gato Barbieri. Joe also has a very successful solo career. He continues to compose, record and internatioally tour withhis own band and others.
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JEFF ''SKUNK'' BAXTER

Multi-guitarist, including steel pedalist, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter from Washington, D.C. started his career in Jimmy James (Jimi Hendirix) and The Blue Flames, before joining the psychedelic rock band Ultimate Spinach in 1968. He moved to LA finding studio session work and in 1972 along with Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, Denny Dias, Jim Hodder and David Palmer, he formed the band 'Steely Dan'. He recorded 3 albums with the band then left in 1974 to join The Doobie Brothers and recorded 3 albums with them too. Jeff took a second career in defence councelling, but continued working as a session guitarist for a diverse group of artists, including among many more Bryan Adams, Hoyt Axton, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Freddie Hubbard, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, and Donna Summer, he toured with Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Vera and the Beaters. In 1990, he joined John Entwistle, Joe Walsh, Keith Emerson and Simon Phillips in the supergroup "The Best", produced several albums for the hard rock band Nazareth, Livingston Taylor, The Ventures and Nils Lofgren as well appearing in Blues Brothers 2000 and can be heard on the cast album. He also occasionally plays in The Coalition of the Willing, a band comprising Andras Simonyi, Hungarian Ambassador to the United States; Alexander Vershbow, US Ambassador to South Korea; Daniel B. Poneman, formerly of the United States National Security Council and now of The Scowcroft Group; and Lincoln Bloomfield, former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. Jeff to date, has had 17 gold records and 8 platinum, been awarded 2 Grammies and an ITVA Golden Angel Award.
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STEVE .FISTER

Power blues rocker, electric guitarist, Steve Fister started playing guitar when he was 5 years old, and started playings gigs in and around Buffalo, New York at the age of only 10. His influences have included The Beatles, Chuck Berry, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and 3 King giants Freddy, BB and Albert. In the early 80's he joined Iron Butterfly as their lead guitarist, before moving to Nashville for a few years in the early 90's, were he became a sort after session player. He spent a year with Pat Travers, and Ansley Dunbar on drums, touring and recording the "Blues Magnet," album. He next moved to California and while working on recording sessions at Jet Records in Hollywood, he auditioned for Lita Ford's band and spent the next 2 years as her lead guitarist and musical director, non stop touring the world with the likes of Ted Nugent, Yngwie Malmsteen, Poison, Bon Jovi and Ozzy Osbourn. Later in the he replaced Les Dudek as guitarist in John Kay & Steppenwolf with more heavy touring. As well as his continual studio session work throughout his career and guitaring for different bands, Steve, has also got his own rock blues band, and is steadily building a strong fan base in his own right. He has collaborated with the likes of Frankie Banali, Tommy Aldridge, Stu Hamm, Greg Bissonette, Jimmy Haslip, Derek St. Holmes, Reese Wynans, Tony Franklin and many others with his own and released 7 albums to date, the latest being "Live Bullets" on which his friend Walter Trout makes a guest appearance. It was released Sept 25th 2007, and recorded live on his 2006 European tour. Steve tours the US and Europe annually to promote each CD release .. This great guitarist is well worth having in your collection.
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HARVEY "The Snake" MANDEL

Electric guitar pioneer and virtuoso, Harvey Mandel aka The Snake, born in Detroit, raised in Chicago had always dreamed his chosen instrument would one day make the noises that would rock the world. After many years of experimental work by the pioneers such as Harvey, the electric guitar is the major instrument in rock, blues and many other genre. In 1966 Harvey became the original guitarist with Charlie Musselwhite, releasing the debut album Stand Back!, this got them an invite to the Festival in Fillmore. Harvey moved to California and replaced Vestine in Canned Heat , performing at the August 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival with their performance appearing in both the album and film release. The nickname, "The Snake," was given to him years before by keyboardist Barry Goldberg in Chicago, because of his cracked leather jacket and snake-like guitar licks, it fit perfectly in the Canned Heat line-up! Next Harvey went solo in the early 70's and went on to be one of the most sort after session men, playing with many of the great rock names inluding the Rolling Stones, appearing on their 1976 album Black and Blue, his extensive soloing is featured on "Hot Stuff". He has also performed with many blues legends including Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Albert King, and Otis Rush to mention a few. On a sadder note he gets a little forgotten and passed by, by the media.This amazing musician has spent a lifetime furthering his techniques, pioneering psychedelic and rock guitar techniques, broken undiscovered barriers of amplification, tone, technique, and effects, worked with many of the greats in Blues, Rock & Roll, Psychedelia and Hip-Hop, and has been cited as a major influence by many of today's music superstars. Harvey is currently recording and touring with the "Chicago Blues Reunion", along with Nick Gravenites, Barry Goldberg, Tracy Nelson, Sam Lay, and Corky Siegel. May he continue his great work.
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GUTHRIE GOVAN

Versitile guitarist Guthrie Govan from Chelmsford, England, recent winner of Guitarist Magazine's "Guitarist of the Year" award, came to media attention when he became a member of Asia in 2001. Before this he was teaching guitar at the Academy of Contemporary Music. Guthrie toured extensively and recorded 2 albums with Asia, a remake of Aura in 2001 and Silent Nation in 2004. In February of 2006 Guthrie, John Payne and Jay Schellen left Asia to form a powerful progressive rock group, called "One", but now called GPS, with Ryo Okumoto on keys. They have to date, recorded one album' Window to the Soul' and done some international touring and festivals. As well as his band commitment, composing and clinics work, Guthrie teams up with The Young Punx (DJ duo) who have started performing as a live band this year (2007), they performed live at the Glastonbury Festival, the Summer Sonic Festival in Tokyo and Osaka, and he performs on a number of tracks on their debut album "Your Music Is Killing Me". This very busy, exciting young guitar virtuoso, who over the years has played many genre of music from jazz to techno and melodic rock also plays with the jazz-fusion band 'The Fellowship'. 2007 has seen his long awaited, highly acclaimed by fellow guitarists and fans, Guthrie's debut solo album "Erotic Cake".
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KIM SIMMONDS

Guitar hero Kim Simmonds, was born in Newbridge, Wales, UK, growing up listening to his elder brother's records. He started playing the guitar at the age of 13 and sent of for a guitar on mail order, which when it arrived he had to assemble himself. In his mid teens he left for London joining in with big blues movement at the time, with Eric Clapton, Pete Green and the likes. This is when Kim formed his band Savoy Brown Blues Band and he played a huge part in the British blues movement recording and exporting the blues back to America, many of which made the Billboard charts, establishing a big fan base in the States. In 1967 they released their debut album Shake Down, over the decades they have released 32 albums, the most recent, to date being 2007's "Steel" album All the albums showcase Kim's guitar virtuosity and his total dedication to blues. In 1997 he released a debut solo album; his solo work is more blues-folk and he plays more acoustic guitar rather than electric as in the band. Still busy touring and recording, the now legendary Kim is acknowledged as one of Britain’s finest bluesmen.
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LARRY "RHINO" REINHARDT

Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt started his music career touring with The Kingsmen in the mid 60's when he was 15 years old. He got a big break in 1969 when he joined the rock band Iron Butterfly and recorded the album Metamorphosis in 1970. Iron Butterfly disbanded after their 1971 European tour, after which Rhino and bassist Lee Dorman formed their own band Captain Beyond. Duane Allman endorsed their self-titled well received debut album just before his death. It was around this time Rhino deployed a hybrid Fender that turned into a '72 Strat. Rhino hooked up with Iron Butterfly again when they regrouped, playing with them till until '91, when a car accident totally mangled his left had. Although doctors said he would never play again, Rhino bravely battled with it throughout the 90's, and the early 2000's see's him happily back with a re-grouped Captain Beyond, "…now that I've gotten through this accident," he said. "I'm like a 16-year-old again! That's the best high, when you've got a bunch of people lovin' what you're doing. You can't bottle that."
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JOHN SYKES

Hard rock guitarist John Sykes born in Reading, UK, began playing guitar at 14. Influenced by Brian May and Phil Lynott he joined the group Streetfighter in 1980, before recording a demo tape with Badlands. Soon after he joined Tygers Of Pan Tang recording 3 albums. John left the band to become a member of Thin Lizzy and can be heard on 3 of their albums. 1984 see's him in the heavy rock band Whitesnake, recording 2 albums with Coverdale. In the late 80's he formed his own band Blue Murder, recording 3 albums between '89 and 94. John has had a very successful solo career with albums, the last being "Bad Boy live in 2005". He made guest appearance on keyboardist Derek Sherinian's 2004 solo album "Mythology", playing alongside Zakk Wylde on the track "God Of War and in 2006, he got his own signature Gibson Les Paul Custom which was modeled after his favourite guitar. John continues his solo career and his touring with a re-united Thin Lizzy.
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BIRELI LAGRENE

Bireli Lagrene was born in Soufflenheim, (Bas-Rhin region of France) into a traditional Sinti gypsy family and community. His father was a renowned guitarist in the thirties and his brothers and cousins are all competent self taught musicians. He started playing guitar at the age of four years; at the age of eight, he had covered Django Reinhardt’s repertoire, at the age of twelve winning a gypsy music festival gave him the opportunity to tour in Germany and at 13 a live performance was recorded on the double LP "Route to Django". Soon after he was in the US where he met the greatest jazz musicians of the international scene such as Stéphane Grappelli, Benny Goodman, Benny Carter. In 1984, he was introduced to bassist Jaco Pastorius and ventured with him into jazz fusion. Together, they toured Europe, which contributed a great deal to Bireli’s musical emancipation. Back to a more traditional style, Bireli recorded 'Gipsy Project' and 'Gipsy Project and Friends' in 2001 Bireli is an exstremely busy and sort after guitarist, but as with many of the truly great guitarists, is classed as a guitarists guitarist. Most years in June, he returns Samois sur Seine for the gypsy festival, where as well as performing on stage, he also plays down on the river front among the various Gypsy sites.
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WALTER TROUT

US power-blues guitarist Walter Trout born in Ocean City, first started on the trumpet, playing in the school band. In the mid-'1960’s he heard The Paul Butterfield Blues Band featuring Mike Bloomfield which changed his whole appreciation of music and cemented his musical ambitions towards the blues genre and the electric guitar. He began his career on the Jersey coast scene of the late 60's, early 70's before relocating to L.A. where he became a sideman for such artists as Percy Mayfield, Lowell Fulsomand, Pee Wee Crayton, Finis Tasby, and Deacon Jones. He also worked in the bands of John Lee Hooker and Joe Tex. In 1981 be became the guitarist for blues rock band Canned Heat. This led to an invitation to play in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers where he shared the stage with guitarist Coco Montoya. He left the Bluesbreakers in 1989 and formed the Walter Trout Band releasing 7 albums. In 1998 Trout released his self-titled domestic debut CD under the name Walter Trout and the Free Radicals which was followed by 2 more albums before he renamed his band Walter Trout and the Radicals releasing 5 albums, to date, under this name. Walter continues recording and touring both in North America and in Europe.
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LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM

Palo Alto guitar virtuoso Lindsey Buckingham started playing guitar at around years 5, he took guitar lessons but does not read music. By age 13, he had become very influenced by banjo methods and practised the fingerpicking styles of The Kingston Trio. While at Menlo Atherton High School, he and Stevie Nicks formed The Fritz Rabyne Memorial Band but his fingerpicking style gave him difficulty playing rock guitar, he moved to bass. "Fritz" opened for such acts as Santana, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. Lindsey became ill but this allowed him the free time to master his rockier guitar techniques. Back on lead guitar Lindsey went on to record an album "Buckingham Nicks" with Stevie before joining Fleetwood Mac in 1985 for the next 12 years, and rejoining them for a few performances in the 90's. Lindsey has released 9 albums to date, with them. As a member of Fleetwood Mac, he was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Lindsey has a busy session and solo career, where at last he can showcase his sentational fingerpicking styles and techneques. The songs such as Big Love; Go Insane; Never Goin` Back Again; Say Goodbye To You and Go Your Own Way shows the variety at which he can play. He has plans to follow his 4th solo album "Under the Skin" with another solo album in 2008.
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VERNON REID

Grammy Award winning guitarist Vernon Reid was born in London UK, but raised in New York, US. While at Brooklyn Tech, at the age 15 and inspired by Carlos Santana, he studied guitar privately with jazz masters Rodney Jones and Ted Dunbar. He founded the band Living Colour in 1985, who have released 6 albums and won numerous awards including, two Grammy Awards, two MTV Music Video Awards, two International Rock Awards and several New York Music Awards to date. Vernon has released several successful solo albums and although he seems mostly recalled by the general public for his shredding solos with Living Colour, he has a prolific session output in a variety of genre, he has played live or on record with the Roots, Eye & I, Mick Jagger, Rollins Band, Spearhead, Public Enemy, Mariah Carey, Tracey Chapman, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Don Byron, Defunkt , Santana, Bernie Worrell, MC 900 Foot Jesus, B.B. King, Madalyne Peyroux, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, G. Calvin Weston, Meridiem, Jack Bruce, Terry Bozzio, and DJ Spooky among many others and he was named No.66 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
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RICK DERRINGER

Guitarist, vocalist, Richard Zehringer aka Rick Derringer comes from Fort Recovery, Ohiois and perhaps best known for the song "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo". He formed the band The McCoys while in his mid-teens and
recorded No.1 hit "Hang on Sloopy" when he was just 17, in the summer of 1965. In the 70's Rick embarked on is solo career making, to date, 24 albums. As well as his busy solo career in the 80's spent 5 years playing with "Weird Al" Yankovic as lead guitarist before being replaced by Jim West. In 2005 Rick appeared on the Les Paul album 'American Made World Played' on the track "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl". Rick continues to perform and record, with varying musical line-ups, in the rock and roll, smooth jazz, and Christian rock genres.
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RICHARD THOMPSON

Guitarist Richard Thompson born in Notting Hill, London formed his first band "Emil and the Detectives" while still at school, influenced by a variety of musicians such as Buddy Holly, James Burton, Billy Pig, Django Reinhardt and Les Paul. At 18 he joined Fairport Convention, it was his guitar playing that attracted American producer Joe Boyd's attention who got them signed to Island Records. Richard also started writing the material for the band. He left the band in 1971 for a solo career and undertook a large amount of session work, most notably on albums by John Martyn, Al Stewart, Matthews Southern Comfort, Sandy Denny and Nick Drake. 1972 saw his debut solo album Henry the Human Fly, and by 1973 he was working with Linda Peters who he also married this led to the recording of six albums by the duo. Richard has written and performed music for many films and guested on albums by many from Crowded House and Bonnie Raitt to Norma Waterson and Beausoleil and folk artists like Cathal McConnell and Bob Davenport. His songs have been covered by artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, David Gilmour, The Five Blind Boys From Alabama, and The Corrs. He continues to write and record new material and plays many live shows each year.
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ERIC JOHNSON

Texan guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson has been playing guitar since he was 11, influenced then by Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, and Django Reinhardt, later influences have been Steve Morse, Carlos Santana, Allan Holdsworth, B.B. King, Larry Carlton, Billy Gibbons, Johnny Winter, Jeff Baxter, Prince, Joe Satriani and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. By 15, Eric was a member of the psychedelic rock band Mariani, and in 1974 he joined the local fusion group Electromagnets, before forming his own band in 1977. He has gone on (to date) to record 6 solo albums, 1 instructional dvd, appears on 8 videos and guested on 44 albums with the likes of Richard Marx, Christopher Cross, Steve Morse Band, Carole King, Rodney Crowell, Cat Stevens and many more. His guitar virtuosity has gained him 7 Grammy Nominations, "Cliffs of Dover", exemplified his unique sound and won him a 1991 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Guitar Player magazine calls Eric Johnson "One of the most respected guitar virtuosos on the planet".
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KIKO LOUREIRO

Brazilian guitar virtuoso Kiko Loureiro has worked with such bands as Angra, Silent Moon, and Blezqi Zatzas. Loureiro began studying music and playing acoustic guitar at age 11. Inspired by artists like Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, and Randy Rhoads, he moved to the electric guitar at 13 and by 16 had already joined two bands, Legalize and A Chave, and was playing in nightclubs in São Paulo. At 19, he helped found Brazilian power metal band Angra, with whom he still plays. Due to the increase in popularity of power metal, Loureiro has become quite successful, both playing in Angra and as a solo artist. He is now known worldwide for his skill on the guitar, having written columns for and appeared on the cover of the magazines Cover Guitarra, Guitar & Bass, and Young Guitar.
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JOSCHO STEPHAN

Gypsy Jazz guitarist Joscho Stephan, born in Germany in the 80's, is one of the fastest single string players in the world, playing the very difficult Django style of guitar playing. He has a style of his own with Django overtones. He executes arpeggios harmonics at high speed from one end of the fretboard to the other, with clean flawless improvisational skills, still making the music heartfelt and melodic at this amazing speed. He plays the very beautiful slower lines together with his Selmer like custom guitar with the same heartfelt perfection. To date he has recorded five albums, Django's Tiger, Django Forever, Swing News, Swinging Strings and Acoustic Live. Joscho plays with his own quartet, sometimes trio, travelling the globe attending all the top jazz festivals, jazz gigs and clinics. This young guitarist is certainly recommended listening.
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GREG HOWE

Greg Howe, originally from Easton, Pennsylvania started playing the guitar at the age of 10, and was greatly influenced by Van Halen in his teens. He and his brother Al formed a local rock band, performing in clubs and bars while perfecting his skills. In 1988 he recorded his first album "Greg Howe", at Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records which rocked the guitar community. He went on to record 2 albums with his brother and has recorded 6 more solo albums to date. He has developed a distinct style that is more rooted in jazz fusion rather than the neoclassical leanings of his shred contemporaries and is perhaps best known for his great skill at improvising. Being so talented on solid and acoustic guitarin many genres, virtuoso standard, Greg is a highly sought after session musician, he is hired to tour with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Enrique Iglesias, *NSYNC and guests on numerous albums . Greg is currently active with trade shows, guitar clinics, mini tours around the world and he is producing a series of online video lessons which can be found on his website.
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SCOTT "WINO" WIENRICH

Metal guitarist Scott "Wino" Weinrich, formed The Obsessed in the late 70's while living in Washington. In the mid 80's he moved to California making 3 albums with Saint Vitus, and he also played anonymously with The Mentors, but as a bassist. He reformed "The Obsessed", after doing a record deal with Hellhound Records recording 2 albums. In 1994 Scott formed Spirit Caravan making 2 albums and an EP before joining Place of Skulls in 2002 for one album, after which he formed is latest band, The Hidden Hand. Scott has also recorded with Solace, The Mystick Krewe of Clearlight, Paul Chain, Bullring Brummies, Wooly Mammoth, Sixty Watt Shaman and Victor Griffin.
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LUCA TURILLI

Luca Turilli had an early interest in classical music, and learnt to play piano and guitar as a child. In 1993 he founded the band 'Thundercross', which became 'Rhapsody', then 'Rhapsody of Fire'. As Rhapsody, they incorporated classical music, baroque and heavy metal styles in a sub-genre they call "Hollywood metal" or "film score metal" because of its resemblance to movie soundtracks. They carried this grandiose sound through to their symphonic power metal band Rhapsody of Fire. Turilli is the band's lyricist, as well as guitarist. His lyrics often refer to mystical lore from the medieval age and the heroic valor of those times, highlighting in particular the everlasting fight between good and evil.
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DEVIN TOWNSEND

Canadian guitarist Devin Townsend started learnig banjo at age five, changing to guitar at 12. In his early teens he formed a group "Grey Skies", which later changed to "Noisescapes". In 1993 Steve Vai offered him a solo deal on his album 'Sex & Religion' and again in 1995 on "Fire Garden". Devin also worked on several projects with Front Line Assembly, afterm with he formed another band "Strapping Young Lads" He draws his music from progressive metal with influences from jazz, blues, progressive rock, industrial, ambient and classical music.
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BOBBY FERRARA

Bobby, originally from Long Island, his jaw-dropping solo flurries, wah-drenched fusillades and high-energy freakout has won him New York's Hot Licks guitar contest twice, and have made him a world class guitarist. Bobby is an endorsee of GREM GUITARS. He also writes a bimonthly guitar technique/effects column called "The Clinic" for New Jersey's only heavy metal magazine, "Ironworx". Bobby Ferrara is one of the cleanest playing shred guitarists I have heard, and at such speed keeps the passion, he looses nothing.
!!! ~ amazing musician ~ !!!
MORE INFORMATION ~ Interview

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RANDY CALIFORNIA

The 60s saw a 15-year-old Randy Craig Wolfe gigging with Jimi Hendrix, who gave him the name California, as there were 2 Randys in the band. Unfortunately Randy was too young to come to the UK with Hendrix. The late Randy California, singer / songwriter /guitarist played solo as well as his fame with the band "Spirit" and does an awesome version of "Like A Rolling Stone" on 'Spirit of 76' album.
TRIBUTE WEBSITE

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FRANK MARINO

To say that Frank Marino excels in a live environment is a total understatement! The power of Frank "live" is the stuff of legend as everyone who has seen him will agree and he certainly lives up to his reputation on his latest album. Quote: “When I was a kid and I first heard Frank Marino, I was stunned. His technique and tone was smooth yet aggressive. He is a very powerful performer and was an inspiration to me at a critical time in my musical evolution.”~ Steve Vai
READ MORE

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GREG COOPER

Greg Cooper is a highly respected professional guitarist, writer, author and guitar educator from California. He can take you on a trip from the blues to jazz to rock with his amazing talent.
His guitar collection is well worth a visit too!!
VISIT GREG & HIS MUSIC

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Allen "ROBOT" Van Wert

ROBOT has been credited as a very futuristic sounding experimental style, exploding and breaking the limits of guitar based music. (without the use of FX or any editing tricks). He is true cutting edge.
READ MORE ~ INTERVIEW

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WALTER ROSSI

After leaving his previous band, Wilson Pickett's 'The SoulMates' and Buddy Miles Express, Walter Rossi joined Montreal based 'Influence' in 1967. In 1968 the band released their self-titled debut but split up soon after despite their popularity touring in Toronto and New York. Rossi would go on to join Luke And The Apostles (1970-71), Charlee (1972) and The Bombers (1978) before branching off into studio work (Nanette Workman, Gino Soccio) and a successful solo career with Aquarius Records.
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