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{{BLP sources|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Albert Philip McKay
| name = Albert Phillip "Al" McKay
| image = Al mckay.jpg
| image = Al mckay.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
| caption = Al McKay live at Hamar Music Festival 2011
| caption = McKay at Hamar Music Festival 2011
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|2|2|}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|2|2|}}{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
| birth_place = [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]] U.S.
| birth_place = [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], U.S.
| occupation = Musician, songwriter, record producer
| origin = [[United States]]
| occupation = [[Guitarist]], [[Songwriting|songwriter]], [[Record producer|producer]], [[music arranger]]
| genre = [[Funk]], [[jazz]], [[R&B]], [[soul music|soul]]
⚫
| years_active = 1960s–present
| genre = [[Funk]], [[jazz]], [[R&B]], [[soul music|soul]]
⚫
| label = [[Columbia Records|CBS]], [[ARC Records|ARC]], [[Star Licks Productions|Star Licks]], VideoArts (Japan)
⚫
| years_active = 1960s–present
⚫
| associated_acts = [[Earth, Wind & Fire]], [[Phenix Horns]], [[Ike & Tina Turner]], [[Patrice Rushen]], [[Ramsey Lewis]], [[The Temptations]]
⚫
| label = [[Columbia Records|CBS]], [[ARC Records|ARC]], [[Star Licks Productions]], VideoArts Music (Japan)
⚫
| website = {{URL|almckay.com}}
⚫
| Associated_acts = [[Earth, Wind And Fire]], [[Phenix Horns]], [[Ike & Tina Turner]]
⚫
| website = {{Official website|http://www.almckay.com/}}
}}
}}


'''Albert Phillip''' "'''Al'''" '''McKay''' (born February 2, 1948) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. He is a former member of [[Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band|The Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band]] and [[Earth, Wind & Fire]]. As a member of EW&F, during 2000, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]. He has also worked with artists such as [[Gene Harris]], [[Patrice Rushen]], [[The Temptations]] and [[Ramsey Lewis]]. McKay also leads his own band called the Al McKay All Stars.<ref name=Allmusic /><ref name=Bio /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Daniel |date=2015-12-21 |title=10 Questions with Al McKay of the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/10-questions-al-mckay-earth-wind-fire-experience |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=bandwagon.asia |publisher=Bandwagon Asia |language=en}}</ref>
'''Al McKay''' (born February 2, 1948, in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]) is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and former member of the [[United States of America|American]] [[funk]] band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]], and a recipient of six [[Grammy Award]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Past Grammy Award Winner|url=https://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=earth+wind+fire&field_nominee_work_value=&year=All&genre=All|website=Grammy.com|publisher=The Recording Academy.}}</ref> McKay now leads his own group which started life as Al McKay's L.A. All Stars, with former EWF members [[Earth, Wind & Fire|Johnny Graham]], [[Fred White (musician)|Fred White]] (younger brother of EWF founders [[Maurice White]] and [[Verdine White]]), [[Phenix Horns|Rahmlee Michael Davis]] and [[Phenix Horns|Michael Harris]] of the former [[Phenix Horns]], and [[Earth, Wind & Fire|Andrew Woolfolk]].


== Biography ==
In 2001, the group released an album entitled ''Al Dente'' through the Japanese label Videoarts Music. A live album (''Live At Mt. Fuji Jazzfestival 2002'') followed in 2003 on the same record label. Both releases are available only as imports.<ref>{{cite web|title=Al McKay Allstars Discography|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/2335620-Al-McKay-Allstars|website=Discogs.com|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=8 December 2015}}</ref>
Born and raised in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], United States, McKay's first professional gig was as a guitarist for the [[Ike & Tina Turner|Ike & Tina Turner Revue]]. He then went on to become a member of [[Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band|The Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band]]. McKay later joined up with the band [[Earth, Wind & Fire]] in 1973. He eventually left the group in 1981.<ref name=Allmusic /><ref name=Bio />


McKay now performs with his band, The Al McKay Allstars, performing a show called The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience. During 2001, the group released a studio album entitled ''Al Dente''. A live album called ''Live at Mt. Fuji'' was also issued in 2003.<ref name="Allmusic" /><ref name="Bio">{{Cite web|url=https://www.soultracks.com/al_mckay.htm|title=Al McKay|website=soultracks.com|date=5 May 2007}}</ref>
McKay's first professional gig was as a guitarist for the [[Ike & Tina Turner|Ike & Tina Turner Revue]] at the age of 18.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.almckay.com/bio.php|title=Bio|last=|first=|date=|website=The Official Al McKay Website|access-date=}}</ref> Throughout most of the 1970s and 1980s, McKay was hired for numerous studio sessions from different artists and produced/composed for various projects, including George Semper, Brenton Wood & Al McKay Productions, United Soul Association<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/412270-United-Soul-Association|title=United Soul Association|website=Discogs|language=en|access-date=2017-12-13}}</ref> (Sticky Boom Boom Too Cold - 1972 / Epic, Prophesy, Mr. Woods Records),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Brenton-Wood-Sticky-Boom-Boom-Too-Cold/master/278864|title=Brenton Wood - Sticky Boom Boom Too Cold|website=Discogs|language=en|access-date=2017-12-13}}</ref> [[The Temptations]] (''[[Truly for You]]'' &ndash; 1984 / [[Motown Records|Motown]]), [[A Taste of Honey (band)|A Taste of Honey]] (''Ladies of the Eighties'' &ndash; 1982 / [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]), and Finis Henderson (''Finis'' &ndash; 1982 / Motown), among many others.
==Work with other artists==
McKay produced the single, "[[Skip to My Lou (Finis Henderson song)|Skip to My Lou]]" for [[Finis Henderson III]],<ref>''Cash Box'', May 7, 1983 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/Cash-Box-1983-05-07.pdf Page 10 NEWS & REVIEWS, <u>REVIEWS</u>, SINGLES ''<small>(continued from page 8)</small>'', NEW AND DEVELOPING, FINIS HENDERSON (Motown 1669 MF) Skip To My Lou (4:07)]</ref> as well as Henderson's ''[[Finis (album)|Finis]] album.<ref>Session Days - [https://www.sessiondays.com/2014/12/1983-finis-henderson-finis/ 1983 Finis Henderson – Finis]</ref>


== Solo work ==
His instructional video for Star Licks Productions appeared on [[VHS]] in the mid-1980s. With a re-designed video sleeve, it was re-issued on VHS during the 1990s.
McKay also performed on [[Gene Harris]]'s 1976 album ''[[In a Special Way (album)|In a Special Way]]'' and his 1977 release ''[[Tone Tantrum]].'' Along with [[Eddie Henderson (musician)|Eddie Henderson]]'s 1977 LP ''[[Comin' Through]]'', [[Patrice Rushen]]'s 1977 LP ''[[Shout It Out (Patrice Rushen album)|Shout It Out]]'', 1978's ''[[Patrice (album)|Patrice]]'', 1979's ''[[Pizzazz]]'' and her 1980 studio album, ''[[Posh (album)|Posh]]''. As well, McKay performed on [[Ramsey Lewis]]' 1980 LP [[Routes (album)|Routes]], [[Herbie Hancock]]'s 1981 album ''[[Magic Windows]]'' and [[A Taste of Honey (band)|A Taste of Honey]]'s 1982 LP Ladies of the Eighties. McKay also co-produced [[The Temptations]] on their 1984 studio LP ''[[Truly for You]]'', and produced [[Shirley Jones (R&B singer)|Shirley Jones]] on her 1986 album, [[Always In the Mood]].<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/al-mckay-mn0000612556/|title=Al McKay|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>


He the played upon [[Norman Brown (guitarist)|Norman Brown]]'s 1992 album ''[[Just Between Us (Norman Brown album)|Just Between Us]] and'' Ramsey Lewis' 1993 LP ''[[Sky Islands (Ramsey Lewis album)|Sky Islands]]''. McKay later appeared on [[Wild Orchid (group)|Wild Orchid]]'s 1997 [[Wild Orchid (album)|self titled debut album]], [[Celine Dion]]'s 1997 LP [[Let's Talk About Love]], [[CeCe Winans]] 1998 album His Gift, [[Dave Koz]]'s 1999 LP [[The Dance (Dave Koz album)|The Dance]] and [[Incognito (band)|Incognito]]'s 2010 album Transatlantic R.P.M.<ref name=Allmusic />
He now performs with his band, The Al McKay Allstars, performing a show called The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience, and tours along the major jazz festivals in the world with this 13-piece ensemble. There is also a live DVD (''Live In Kaunas Jazz 2004'') from this project, which was filmed in Eastern Europe. It was released on the Lithuanian label Rhythm Records.<ref>{{cite web|title=Al McKay Allstars Discography|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/2335620-Al-McKay-Allstars|website=Discogs.com|publisher=Discogs|accessdate=8 December 2015}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
McKay is a left-handed guitar player.
[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] placed McKay in their list of the 30 most famous left-handed guitarists of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Lindsey |date=June 7, 2024 |title=The 30 Most Famous Left-Handed Guitarists |url=https://www.spin.com/2024/06/the-30-most-famous-left-handed-guitarists/ |access-date=October 25, 2024 |website=spin.com |publisher=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]}}</ref> [[Guitar Player]] also ranked McKay at No. 25 on their list of the 50 greatest rhythm guitarists of all time. As well guitarists such as [[Lenny Kravitz]] have claimed McKay as a major influence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McStea |first=Mark |date=2024-03-12 |title=“People used to show up in the parking lot and ask the crew to tell me that they had guitars to sell... One guy was facing trial and needed money for his lawyer. That's how I got my goldtop Les Paul”: Lenny Kravitz on recording, and unlikely gear finds |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/lenny-kravitz-blue-electric-light |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=guitarplayer.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-12-27 |title=The 50 Greatest Rhythm Guitar Players of All Time |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/players/the-50-greatest-rhythm-guitar-players-of-all-time |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Guitar Player |language=en}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{expand section|date=April 2015}}
'''With [[Eddie Henderson (musician)|Eddie Henderson]]'''
*''[[Comin' Through]]'' (Capitol, 1977)

==External links==
* [http://www.almckay.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.soultracks.com/al_mckay.htm Al McKay] at soultracks.com
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160306011217/http://www.videoartsmusic.com/english.htm www.videoartsmusic.com]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Earth, Wind & Fire}}
{{Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band}}
{{Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band}}
{{2000 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:African-American guitarists]]
[[Category:African-American guitarists]]
[[Category:African-American record producers]]
[[Category:African-American record producers]]
[[Category:American record producers]]
[[Category:Record producers from Louisiana]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]
[[Category:American songwriters]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Louisiana]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire members]]
[[Category:Earth, Wind & Fire members]]
[[Category:Kings of Rhythm members]]
[[Category:Ike & Tina Turner members]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Louisiana]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Louisiana]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]


{{US-guitarist-stub}}

Latest revision as of 08:23, 8 November 2024

Albert Phillip "Al" McKay
McKay at Hamar Music Festival 2011
McKay at Hamar Music Festival 2011
Background information
Born (1948-02-02) February 2, 1948 (age 76)[citation needed]
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
GenresFunk, jazz, R&B, soul
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, record producer
Years active1960s–present
LabelsCBS, ARC, Star Licks, VideoArts (Japan)
Websitealmckay.com

Albert Phillip "Al" McKay (born February 2, 1948) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. He is a former member of The Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band and Earth, Wind & Fire. As a member of EW&F, during 2000, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has also worked with artists such as Gene Harris, Patrice Rushen, The Temptations and Ramsey Lewis. McKay also leads his own band called the Al McKay All Stars.[1][2][3]

Biography

[edit]

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, McKay's first professional gig was as a guitarist for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. He then went on to become a member of The Watts 103rd Rhythm Street Band. McKay later joined up with the band Earth, Wind & Fire in 1973. He eventually left the group in 1981.[1][2]

McKay now performs with his band, The Al McKay Allstars, performing a show called The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience. During 2001, the group released a studio album entitled Al Dente. A live album called Live at Mt. Fuji was also issued in 2003.[1][2]

Work with other artists

[edit]

McKay produced the single, "Skip to My Lou" for Finis Henderson III,[4] as well as Henderson's Finis album.[5]

Solo work

[edit]

McKay also performed on Gene Harris's 1976 album In a Special Way and his 1977 release Tone Tantrum. Along with Eddie Henderson's 1977 LP Comin' Through, Patrice Rushen's 1977 LP Shout It Out, 1978's Patrice, 1979's Pizzazz and her 1980 studio album, Posh. As well, McKay performed on Ramsey Lewis' 1980 LP Routes, Herbie Hancock's 1981 album Magic Windows and A Taste of Honey's 1982 LP Ladies of the Eighties. McKay also co-produced The Temptations on their 1984 studio LP Truly for You, and produced Shirley Jones on her 1986 album, Always In the Mood.[1]

He the played upon Norman Brown's 1992 album Just Between Us and Ramsey Lewis' 1993 LP Sky Islands. McKay later appeared on Wild Orchid's 1997 self titled debut album, Celine Dion's 1997 LP Let's Talk About Love, CeCe Winans 1998 album His Gift, Dave Koz's 1999 LP The Dance and Incognito's 2010 album Transatlantic R.P.M.[1]

Legacy

[edit]

Spin placed McKay in their list of the 30 most famous left-handed guitarists of all time.[6] Guitar Player also ranked McKay at No. 25 on their list of the 50 greatest rhythm guitarists of all time. As well guitarists such as Lenny Kravitz have claimed McKay as a major influence.[7][8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Al McKay". AllMusic.
  2. ^ a b c "Al McKay". soultracks.com. 5 May 2007.
  3. ^ Peters, Daniel (2015-12-21). "10 Questions with Al McKay of the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience". bandwagon.asia. Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  4. ^ Cash Box, May 7, 1983 - Page 10 NEWS & REVIEWS, REVIEWS, SINGLES (continued from page 8), NEW AND DEVELOPING, FINIS HENDERSON (Motown 1669 MF) Skip To My Lou (4:07)
  5. ^ Session Days - 1983 Finis Henderson – Finis
  6. ^ Harrison, Lindsey (June 7, 2024). "The 30 Most Famous Left-Handed Guitarists". spin.com. Spin. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  7. ^ McStea, Mark (2024-03-12). ""People used to show up in the parking lot and ask the crew to tell me that they had guitars to sell... One guy was facing trial and needed money for his lawyer. That's how I got my goldtop Les Paul": Lenny Kravitz on recording, and unlikely gear finds". guitarplayer.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  8. ^ "The 50 Greatest Rhythm Guitar Players of All Time". Guitar Player. 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
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