Rock Musician. A founding member of the British ensemble "Ten Years After,"(TYA) was widely regarded as being one of the greatest guitarists to emerge during the late 1960s. His initial instrument was the clarinet after discovering he enjoyed listening to his father's collection of Benny Goodman albums and at the age of twelve, with the influential aid of Chuck Berry and Scotty Moore, he switched to the guitar. Playing came natural to him and by the age of eighteen, he formed his first band, called "The Jaybirds," in 1962. They repeated "The Beatles'" achievement as a popular act in Hamburg, Germany and following their return to London,England in 1966, with keyboardist Chick Churchill, drummer Ric Lee & bassist Leo Lyons, they had renamed themselves Ten Years After. They earned a following and secured regular performances at such venues as The Marquee Club. This success led to an appearance at The Windsor Jazz and Blues Festival in 1967 and after the release of their self-titled album, the San Francisco Bay Area took notice of their sound. They became a major touring band in America and in 1969, they cemented a place in rock music history with a performance at the historic Woodstock Festival. Lee displayed his awesome playing skills on a peace sign marked Gibson ES335 Electric Guitar as he belted out the lyrics to "I'm Going Home" which was captured in the Woodstock film (1970). In 1971, they achieved a Top-40 hit on the US Billboard Pop Singles charts with "I'd Love To Change The World" from their "A Space In Time" album. Lee would go onto a busy solo career and work with music greats George Harrison (The Beatles/Traveling Wilburys) and former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor among others.
Rock Musician. A founding member of the British ensemble "Ten Years After,"(TYA) was widely regarded as being one of the greatest guitarists to emerge during the late 1960s. His initial instrument was the clarinet after discovering he enjoyed listening to his father's collection of Benny Goodman albums and at the age of twelve, with the influential aid of Chuck Berry and Scotty Moore, he switched to the guitar. Playing came natural to him and by the age of eighteen, he formed his first band, called "The Jaybirds," in 1962. They repeated "The Beatles'" achievement as a popular act in Hamburg, Germany and following their return to London,England in 1966, with keyboardist Chick Churchill, drummer Ric Lee & bassist Leo Lyons, they had renamed themselves Ten Years After. They earned a following and secured regular performances at such venues as The Marquee Club. This success led to an appearance at The Windsor Jazz and Blues Festival in 1967 and after the release of their self-titled album, the San Francisco Bay Area took notice of their sound. They became a major touring band in America and in 1969, they cemented a place in rock music history with a performance at the historic Woodstock Festival. Lee displayed his awesome playing skills on a peace sign marked Gibson ES335 Electric Guitar as he belted out the lyrics to "I'm Going Home" which was captured in the Woodstock film (1970). In 1971, they achieved a Top-40 hit on the US Billboard Pop Singles charts with "I'd Love To Change The World" from their "A Space In Time" album. Lee would go onto a busy solo career and work with music greats George Harrison (The Beatles/Traveling Wilburys) and former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor among others.
Bio by: C.S.
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