Mahogany Rush

Canadian rock band

Heavy metal
hard rock
acid rock
blues rock
psychedelic rock

Years active1969–2021^[1]LabelsNine Records, 20th Century Fox Records, Columbia Records, Just a Minute RecordsMembersFrank Marino
Dave Goode
Mick Layne
Avi Ludmer
Mark WeberPast membersPaul Harwood
Jimmy Ayoub
Phil Bech
Johnny McDiarmid
Vince Marino
Timm Biery
Claudio Daniel Pesavento
Peter Dowse
Josh TragerWebsitewww.mahoganyrush.com

Mahogany Rush was a Canadian rock band led by guitarist Frank Marino. Formed in Montreal, Quebec in 1969, the band had its peak of popularity in the 1970s, playing venues as large as California Jam II.^[2]

The band is perhaps best known for Marino's soaring lead guitar which bears a strong resemblance to the playing of Jimi Hendrix.^[3] Long-term members of the band have included bassist Paul Harwood and drummer Jimmy Ayoub, and Frank's brother Vince on guitar; Frank Marino is the sole continuous member of the band. Starting in the late 1970s, the group recorded and toured as Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush.^[3]

Musical style

Marino has described the band's sound as "The Grateful Dead meets jazz".^[4]

Beginnings

In an effort to gain press attention, the original record company created a fictional story that Frank Marino, prior to starting the band, had spent time in a mental institution after taking LSD and was visited by Jimi Hendrix in a vision.^[3]

Over time, the band migrated to a larger and more financially supported record company and achieved its greatest radio hit success with the song "Strange Dreams".^[5] The single "New Rock & Roll" reached #70 on the Canadian charts.^[6]

Members

Last line-up

Frank Marino – vocals, guitars, keyboards (1969–2021)
Mick Layne – guitars (2000–2021)
Avi Ludmer – violin, guitars (2004–2021)
Dave Goode – drums (1992–2001, 2005–2021)
Mark Weber – bass (2008–2021)

Former members

Paul Harwood – bass (1969–1986)
Jimmy Ayoub – drums, percussion (1970–1982; died 2023)^[7]
Phil Bech – piano (1969–1974)
Johnny McDiarmid – keyboards (1970–1974)
Vince Marino – guitars (1980–2000)
Timm Biery – drums (1982–1991)
Claudio Daniel Pesavento – keyboards (1982–1989)
Josh Trager – drums (2001–2005)
Peter Dowse – bass (1986–2008)

Discography

Studio albums

1972 Maxoom (CAN #76)(US #159)
1974 Child of the Novelty (CAN #83)(US #74)
1975 Strange Universe (US #84)
1976 Mahogany Rush IV (US #175)
1977 World Anthem (US #184)
1979 Tales of the Unexpected (CAN #57^[8])(US #129)
1980 What's Next (CAN #70)(US #88)
1981 The Power of Rock 'n' Roll ^{[Note 1]}
1982 Juggernaut (CAN #89)(US #185^[9]) ^{[Note 1]}
1986 Full Circle ^{[Note 1]}
1990 From the Hip ^{[Note 1]}
2000 Eye of the Storm

Others

1978 Live (CAN #67)(US #129)
1988 Double Live
1996 Dragonfly – The best of Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush
2004 Real Live! (double album)
2005 Full Circle (remaster)
2005 From the Hip (remaster)
2008 Mahogany Rush IV / World Anthem (remaster)
2009 Mahogany Rush Live / Tales of the Unexpected / What's Next (remaster)
2012 The Power of Rock and Roll / Juggernaut (remaster)

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Originally released as Frank Marino solo albums and later re-released under the moniker Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush.

References

^ "FRANK MARINO Announces 'Immediate Retirement From Touring' Due To 'Debilitating Medical Condition'". Blabbermouth.net. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2006). "Mahogany Rush". Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-972636-3. Retrieved 20 June 2017 – via oxfordreference.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 787/8. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
^ "Montreal guitarist Frank Marino on local radio, his band and his life". YouTube. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
^ richbienstock (June 16, 2015). "Frank Marino Sets the Record Straight About His Career, the Music Industry and How the Guitar Saved His Life". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 2017-10-24. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - September 7, 1974" (PDF).
^ "James Ayoub (Jimmy)". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 17 December 2023 – via montrealgazette.remembering.ca.
^ "RPM Top 100 Album - August 25, 1979" (PDF).
^ John Bush. "Mahogany Rush | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-12-06.