Mark Andes

Mark Andes

Andes, 2007 SXSW recipient at the Austin Music Awards
Background information
Born (1948-02-19) 19 February 1948
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Rock, jazz fusion, blues
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter
Instruments Bass guitar, guitar
Years active 1965–present
Associated acts Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne, Firefall, Heart, Mirabal
Website Official website

Mark Andes (born February 19, 1948) is an American musician, known for his work as a bassist with Canned Heat, Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne, Firefall, Heart, and Mirabal.[1]

Early life

Andes was born in Philadelphia, but grew up in Los Angeles, one of two sons of actor Keith Andes (1920–2005).

Musical career

As a teenager, he was an early member of Canned Heat, but left before the band was signed to a recording contract. Andes was a founding member of the band Spirit. He played bass on their first four albums and on some subsequent reunion albums. During a bout with the flu, Mark co-wrote one of Spirit's first singles, "Mechanical World," with fellow Spirit member Jay Ferguson who was a friend from High School.[2]

Spirit was noted for its hybrid sound of rock and jazz styles. The group released groundbreaking works such as Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus (1970), that were critically lauded later on, but commercial success largely eluded them at the time.[3]

When the original line-up of Spirit broke up in 1971 over money, Andes and Jay Ferguson formed the band Jo Jo Gunne.[4] He recruited his brother, Matt Andes, to play guitar. Andes only recorded one album with Jo Jo Gunne before semi-retiring from music around 1972. During his stay, the band had a Top 40 hit with the song "Run, Run, Run". When Jo Jo Gunne reformed for a new album and gigs in 2004, Andes was included in the line-up.

Andes moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he lived in the basement of local musician Jeff Reaves. In 1975, he was recruited by former Flying Burrito Brothers vocalist Rick Roberts and former Byrds drummer Michael Clarke to form the country-rock band Firefall. For six years, Mark would be in a band that had a string of hit singles, including the Top 10 hit, "You Are the Woman." During the early 1980s, Andes also collaborated briefly with future Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin and future Quiet Riot drummer Frank Banali.

Following a move back to California, and some session work, Andes joined Heart. He appeared on their final album for Epic Records, Passionworks (1983), and remained with the band until 1993. During this time, Heart found mainstream success, with several number one singles, and a number one album, Heart (1985). After a decade with Heart, Andes returned to session work and entered rehab for a cocaine addiction.[5]

In 1995, he joined up with Native American musician Robert Mirabal to collaborate on his album entitled Mirabal.

Andes played with Ian McLagan and the Bump Band, Alejandro Escovedo, Jo Carol Pierce, and Three Balls of Fire. He very briefly played in a band called MPTU with drummer Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Mr. Mister), singer Malford Milligan and Phil Brown (Little Feat). Andes now lives near Houston in Magnolia, Texas, with his wife Valerie. He released his first solo album, Real World Magic, in February 2009.[6]

Andes began playing with Firefall again in 2014, becoming the third original member in the band's current lineup, along with Jock Bartley and David Muse. [7]

Discography

Spirit

Andes at ACL Festival 2006

Jo Jo Gunne

Firefall

Heart

Other appearances

References

  1. ↑ Center for American History. "Mark Andes Collection". The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  2. ↑ Mike Hurle. "Mark Andes". AmericanaUK.com. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  3. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Spirit: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  4. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Jo Jo Gunne: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Austin Music, July 1995, page 12
  6. ↑ Keane, Trace. "Mark Andes Interview". Tommy Brolin Archives: Hush Magazine Issue 34. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
  7. ↑ Jock Bartley during Firefall performance at Miners Day in Frederick, Colo., Sept. 20, 2014
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