BIO
ROUND ONE: THE BEGINNING.
George in 1979 with Xciter
George Lynch is one of the most recognizable names in the world of heavy metal guitar. With a career spanning more than thirty years, George has recorded more than twenty albums, toured the entire globe many times, and is the one of the most recognizable endorsees of the world’s finest guitars and equipment.
Born on September 28, 1954 in Spokane, WA, George Lynch began learning to play guitar at the age of 10. A naturally gifted musician, his guitar playing quickly progressed and became a creative outlet for him during his teenage years performing with several bands, most notably Sergeant Rocks.
In the late 1970s, George moved to Los Angeles, California where he formed two bands, The Boyz and Xciter. With Xciter, George’s technical abilities and unique style was a very important draw to the band’s fan base. Playing the L.A. club circuit, it was clear that he was already taking the necessary steps that would lead him to success in the 1980s and his partnership with legendary band Dokken.
George with Dokken in 1983
When George Lynch joined Dokken in the early 1980’s, success came very quickly. As history proves, much of the band’s album sales and credibility is the result of George Lynch’s guitar abilities and songwriting. With Dokken, Lynch recorded five albums from 1983 to 1988, all of which did remarkably well in the United States, Europe and Asia. This worldwide success made George Lynch one of the most influential rock guitarists in modern music, even earning the band a Grammy nomination in 1989 for Best Rock Instrumental. 1989 was also the year the George parted ways with Dokken and began the new decade with a different approach…enter the Lynch Mob.
Lynch Mob in 1990
By the early 1990s George had become a marquee guitar hero throughout the world. As a result, working with the Lynch Mob was a highly scrutinized and anticipated project. In just three years, the Lynch Mob released two records and hit the road on two worldwide tours. After the second tour’s completion, Lynch took hiatus and retreated to the studio to craft his first solo recordings.
“Sacred Groove,” Lynch’s first solo endeavor was released in 1993. For the first time in his career, he was able to display a broader assortment of musical and guitar styles. The “Sacred Groove” album clearly established Lynch as an eclectic musician with a volume of eccentric work. Having satisfied this endeavor, George Lynch took several years off to spend time with his children and enjoy life in Arizona. That was until a call from an old friend came in 1994.
ROUND TWO: THE EXPERIENCE
George in 1995
Following his departure, Dokken had reformed without the use of George Lynch, but when the record company refused to release a new Dokken record without Lynch, phone calls were made in late 1994. Lynch came in to fulfill the requests of the record company and round two with the band began. Soon to follow were two more Dokken records and three more years of touring the globe.
By 1998, Lynch finished his commitment with Dokken and set out to work with the Lynch Mob. This resulted in “Smoke This,” an album that featured a culmination of his playing styles, but with a new approach. The 1999 tour that followed brought George’s playing to a new audience and resulted in a renewed interest in the band and George Lynch’s influence. With new confidence, George began working with former Dokken band mate bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer Michael Frowein on what was to become a lengthy album titled “Wicked Underground.”
George in 1997
The Lynch/Pilson project grew out of song ideas that began with Michael Frowein at Lynch’s Stonehouse Studios the previous year. Jeff Pilson was always in mind to join in the completion of the songs. The collaboration proved to inspire Pilson and Lynch to completing the full-length record together. “Wicked Underground” was completed under the name LP (Lynch/Pilson) and delivered to stores in April 2003.
Also in 2003, Lynch began reworking the sound of earlier Lynch Mob and Dokken material. To complete this task, George re-assembled Mob band members, Robert Mason and Anthony Esposito, along with Michael Frowein on drums. Together, they reinvented the spirit and fire of early Lynch compositions onto an album titled, “REVolution,” which was also released in 2003. The guitar work on both “Wicked Underground” and “REVolution” demonstrated Lynch’s consistency with his signature sound while balancing a more experimental side.
ROUND THREE: THE RESSURECTION
George live in 2008
At present, George Lynch has been busy in the studio and on the road. His latest solo record titled “ Legacy” features a collection of songs that influenced the musician throughout his career This special edition EP release celebrates thirty years of George Lynch’s guitar playing with an amazing 4 track offering for the fans. Legacy injects us with a super charged dose of George’s signature style and proves once again why he’s one of the most respected guitar players of the last 3 decades!
George is also working on a new album project called “T & N” with Jeff Pilson, Mick Brown and Brian Tichy.
George Lynch is always evolving as a musician. And with the George Lynch guitar legacy comes remarkable business opportunities. Many musical instrument manufacturers consult with George creatively to produce equipment. As a result, many quality products bear his name.
The most notable is his endorsement with ESP Guitars. ESP has held George as their highest profiled endorser for close to 20 years. Electric guitar pickup guru Seymour Duncan has also honored George with his own signature series pickup called the “Screamin’ Demon.” Now a highly regarded standard in the guitar world, the “Screamin’ Demon” reigns as one of Seymour Duncan’s most popular items to date. George also conceived the design for a triple amp selector switching system called the “Tripler” which is manufactured by Morley. American Recording Technology manufactures and distributes the George Lynch Signature guitar, patch and speaker cables. In 2005, Randall Amplifiers revealed a new George Lynch modular amp called the “Lynch Box.” Also of note, George Lynch and Robert Keeley have developed the Lynch Time Machine, a unique and powerful effect unit that is gaining a lot of interest and momentum within the guitar industry.
To keep up to-date with the current news & tour schedules of George Lynch, please visit www.georgelynch.com and don’t forget to visit www.shadowtrainmovie.com a new documentary George Lynch is involved with, titled
“ShadowTrain: under a crooked sky.”
Lynch4ever September 28, 2011
George is still the greatest! He still continues to make awesome music! I hope he is able to tour for Kill All Control, the cd is so awesome and I would love to hear these songs live!