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Michael Joseph Keneally (born December 20, 1961) is an American guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and composer. Allmusic says: "With his wide-ranging talents and ability to be creative in almost any musical situation, Keneally is the leading progressive rock genius of the post-Zappa era."
Born in Long Island, New York, he moved to San Diego, California at an early age and has been a fixture on the local music scene there since 1985 when he formed the local cult band, Drop Control. Although a well established musician in his own right, Keneally is probably most well known as former Frank Zappa "stunt guitarist" and a Zappa 1988 tour band member on both guitar and keyboards. His ascendency to that position is legendary in certain musician circles, based on Keneally's command over the vast and difficult Zappa repertoire.
Keneally's stint in the Zappa touring band was short-lived with the early cancellation of the 1988 tour and Zappa's death in 1993. Keneally moved on from the elder Zappa's band to work with the eldest Zappa son, Dweezil on his solo albums and work released as the band, Z.
Keneally has also released 11 albums of solo material since 1992 and has guested or acted as sideman on a wide variety of projects, most notably as part of Steve Vai's touring bands. He has played guitar and keyboards with Yo Miles!, Wadada Leo Smith , Norwegian legends Ulver and Henry Kaiser's Miles Davis tribute band as well as recording the 1995 album The Mistakes with Henry Kaiser, Prairie Prince, and Andy West (formerly of Dixie Dregs). He has also produced albums for several bands, including Chris Opperman's debut album.
In 1998 Vai requested that Keneally arrange and perform an album of Vai's music on acoustic piano. Recorded in 1999, the album was finally released in 2004 as "Vai: Piano Reductions Vol. 1". According to liner notes, Vai selected the songs, produced the album, and mixed it, releasing it on his own Light Without Heat label. As of 2008 Keneally has arranged from multi-tracked guitar parts to single-track piano the 12 songs selected by Steve and begun work on a second volume of Vai "Piano Reductions".
On May 1, 2007, Keneally's Exowax label re-released his debut album "hat." and "Boil That Dust Speck" as deluxe, remastered double disc versions. Exowax has obtained Keneally's entire back catalog from Immune Records. Planned releases of "Half Alive In Hollywood" and "Sluggo!" as well as The Mike Keneally and Beer For Dolphins 1996 VHS release "Soap Scum Remover" which will be remixed and remastered for a DVD release and "The Mistakes", his 1995 side project with Henry Kaiser on guitar and Synclavier, bassist Andy West and drummer Prairie Prince) along with a live Mistakes recording that has been held on the side until Keneally was able to re-acquire the rights to the original album.
On November 28, 2006, Keneally announced that he was hired as National Music Director for The Paul Green School of Rock Music.
He has also been announced to tour with Dethklok as a guitarist.
On July 20, 2008 at El Cajon, CA Mike played a concert as part of "the most exciting power trio in years" Keneally - Minnemann - Beller (KMB), consisting of Mike, drummer Marco Minnemann and long time collaborating bassist Bryan Beller. The band are planning a full tour in 2009.
Current Mike Keneally Band Line-Up
Discography
Solo
- Hat. - 1992
- Boil That Dust Speck - 1994
- The Tar Tapes Vol. 1 - 1997
- The Tar Tapes Vol. 2 - 1998
- Nonkertompf - 1999
- Nonkertalk - 1999
- Wooden Smoke - 2001
- Vai Piano Reductions, Vol. 1 - 2004
- Wine and Pickles - 2008
With the Metropole Orkest
- The Universe Will Provide - 2004
- Parallel Universe - 2004
With Beer for Dolphins
- Half Alive in Hollywood - 1997
- Sluggo! - 1998
- Dancing - 2000
With The Mike Keneally Band
- Dog - 2004
- Pup - 2004
- Guitar Therapy Live - 2006
With The Mistakes
Videos and DVDs
- Soap Scum Remover VHS - 1996
- Dog Special Edition DVD - 2004
- Guitar Therapy Live Special Edition DVD - 2006
- hat. Special Edition DVD - 2007
- Boil That Dust Speck Special Edition DVD - 2007
Compilations featuring Mike Keneally
Frank Zappa Recordings With Mike Keneally
Recordings With Other Artists
External links
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