Like The Beatles, The Jaybirds returned home to England, made
the move from their hometown to London and secured their first
recording contract with legendary record producer Joe
Meek. From 1963 to 1966, as well as playing and managing
The Jaybirds, Leo worked as a session musician, toured as a
sideman with pop acts of the day, appeared in a play in London's
West End and played a residency with poll winning British Jazz
Guitarist Denny Wright.
In 1967 with a name change to
Ten Years After, a residency at London's famous
Marquee Club and a debut album out on Deram
Records, the band were on their way
In August 1969 their now legendary encore "I'm
Goin' Home" was captured on film at The
Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, exposing their jazz
blues rock amalgam to an even larger audience of movie goers
who were blown away by the intensity of the band's performance
when the academy award winning documentary was released.
Between 1968 and 1975 constant touring playing shows like The
Miami Pop Festival, The Isle of Wight Festival,
The Toronto Peace Festival, The Newport
Jazz Festival and all other important musical events
brought the band's music to a global audience. Leo estimates
that the band performed to in excess of 75,000 new fans a week.
Almost four million people a year not counting those who saw
the band in the film 'Woodstock'.
In 1975 Chrysalis Records hired him as studio
manager to re-equip and run Wessex Studios
in London. He was later to go on and build two commercial studios
of his own. His production credits include UFO, Magnum,
Waysted, Procol Harem, Frankie Miller, Richard and Linda Thompson,
Brigette St John, John Martin, Kevin Coyne, Sassafras, MotorHead,
Hatfield and The North, The Bogie Boys, The Winkies, Chris Farlowe,
Chevy and many more. Other projects have been stage
musicals, cartoon soundtracks and film and music videos. He
has released two CDs with his own band Kick
and his songs have been used in television and film.
In 1997 his songwriting ability was spotted by Nashville publishers
Hayes Street Music who signed him as a staff
writer. After several years of commuting from the United Kingdom
he made the move to Nashville. Aside from writing and producing,
Leo has been guest bassist on CDs by Savoy Brown. Leslie
West, Fred Koller, Danny Johnson and has toured extensively
with former Buddy Guy guitarist Scott Holt.
His interests outside music include the paranormal, alternative
medicine, martial arts and all new technology. He is a vegetarian,
married with two grown-up sons and currently resides in Nashville.
When not on tour with Ten Years After, he's
active as a songwriter, musician and record producer/engineer.
Leo plays:
Bass Guitar
Date and place of birth: 30th November 1943 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Leo
is proud to be a Genz Benz artist
Visit the official LEO
LYONS website
Leo
can be contacted at LeoLyonsbass@aol.com |
