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Lonnie Mack

Lonnie Mack, born Lonnie McIntosh on July 18, 1941, in Dearborn County, Indiana, was a pioneering guitarist whose work bridged the gap between rock and roll, blues, country, and soul. Mack's guitar playing was characterized by his fiery, aggressive approach and his use of the tremolo arm, which earned the nickname "whammy bar" after his influential instrumental hit "Wham!" released in 1963. This track, along with "Memphis," showcased Mack's distinctive blend of R&B and rock guitar styles and had a profound impact on the development of blues-rock guitar and the emergence of Southern rock.

Mack's career roots trace back to the late 1950s, where he honed his craft in roadhouse bands around Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. His debut album, "The Wham of that Memphis Man!" (1963), combining energetic guitar instrumentals with soulful vocals, was groundbreaking for its time and later recognized as a significant influence on many guitarists, including Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Beck. Despite not achieving the commercial success of some of his peers, Lonnie Mack was deeply respected within the music community for his virtuosity and innovation.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Mack's output included albums like "Glad I'm In The Band," "Whatever's Right," and "The Hills Of Indiana," which saw him blending country, soul, and blues in a style that was uniquely his. His career went through several periods of resurgence, as evidenced by the live album "Live - Attack Of The Killer V" and collections such as "From Nashville to Memphis," celebrating his contributions to various American music genres. In later years, although he never ascended to the heights of mainstream fame, his work continued to be revered by guitar aficionados, evidenced through compilations like "For Collectors Only (The Wham Of That Memphis Man)" and "Sa-Ba-Hoola! Two Sides of Lonnie Mack." Lonnie Mack passed away on April 21, 2016, leaving behind a legacy as a true guitar hero and a major influence on American roots music.

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