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Al McKay

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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

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]

Solo work

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

Spin placed McKay in their list of the 30 most famous left-handed guitarists of all time.[4] 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.[5][6]

References

  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. ^ Harrison, Lindsey (June 7, 2024). "The 30 Most Famous Left-Handed Guitarists". spin.com. Spin. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "The 50 Greatest Rhythm Guitar Players of All Time". Guitar Player. 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
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