My 40th Anniversary Warmoth Bass
Leo became a professional musician at the age of 16. As a founding member of the band Ten Years After
he's been an on-stage eyewitness to some of the most pivotal moments in Rock and Roll history. In 1962
with his band The Jaybirds along with guitarist Alvin Lee he performed at The Star Club in Hamburg,
Germany where only a week earlier The Beatles had polished up their act. Leo was hired to play in the
club's house band with Tony Sheridan and yet still found time to guest at the Top Ten Club with guitarist
Albert Lee. 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
Visit the official LEO LYONS website
Leo can be contacted at
LeoLyonsbass@aol.com