John Platania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Platania is a well-known session musician, guitar player, and record producer.
Platania was born in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley, in Ulster County, near Woodstock.
He is most known for his work with Van Morrison, beginning on Moondance, to 2008's Keep It Simple. He played guitar with Van Morrison's band at the Montreux Jazz Festival in July 1980 and appeared on the 2006 issued DVD Live at Montreux 1980/1974. On September 15, 2006 he played in Van Morrison's band at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Platania also co-wrote two songs with Morrison, on his compilation album "The Philosopher's Stone", as well as playing guitar on several of the tracks on disc one. A limited edition live album was issued from this concert — Live at Austin City Limits Festival. He also appeared with Morrison in the Austin City Limits film that was made for television and shown in November 2006 on the CMT television channel. He is now playing in the current Van Morrison band, which also features John Allair and Katie Kissoon, who both played with Van Morrison in th 1970s.
He also played on several albums for Chip Taylor, songwriter of "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning."
From 1974 through 1982, he recorded and or performed for Randy Newman, Bonnie Raitt and Judy Collins.
In 1976, Platania formed a band in Los Angeles called The Giants. Its members included Ron Elliott, formerly of The Beau Brummels, with Karl Rucker from the post-Jim Morrison Doors, and Bruce Gary, drummer who went on to The Knack.
Platania began working with Don McLean in 1981 playing guitar on "American Pie," "Vincent," and "Crying", and toured with McLean.
In 1983, he produced and wrote the score for the Emmy winning musical revue None for the Road, a public service production to educate young people about the dangers of drinking, drugs and driving.
In 1997 he played guitar for Natalie Merchant on her summer tour.
In 2002, Platania released his solo debut Lucky Dog, featuring on guitar and vocals.
Platania has worked as a producer on three albums for Guy Davis. He also produced Davis’s "I Will Be Your Friend,” the title song for the Southern Poverty Law Center’s "anti-hate" compilation CD, as well as songs on tribute CDs to Charlie Patton and Nick Lowe.
He composed the music for Sail Production’s stage version of Harriet Tubman, which toured the U.S. during Black History Month.
In 2006, Platania again reunited with Van Morrison, touring on Morrison's "Pay The Devil" tour and continues playing with the Van Morrison band in 2008. He played guitar on several of the tracks on the March 2008 release of Morrison's thirty-third studio album, Keep It Simple.[1]
