John Lombardo

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John Lombardo
John Lombardo

John Lombardo in 1997
Background information
Born (1952-09-30) September 30, 1952
Jamestown, New York
United States
Origin Buffalo, New York, United States
Genres Folk rock, Alternative rock
Occupations Musician, Songwriter, Producer
Instruments Guitar , Bass , Vocals
Years active 1981–present
Labels Christian Burial Music
Elektra Records
Rykodisc
Geffen Records
Bar/None Records
Associated acts John & Mary
10,000 Maniacs

John Lombardo (born 30 September 1952 in Jamestown, New York) was one of the founding members of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs and one of the band's most influential members, writing much of its early material. He is also a member of folk rock duo John & Mary.

Biography

Called by the Buffalo News "a dominant force" in the Maniacs, Lombardo was in the group from its inception in 1981 until he left in 1986 after the release of their first major-label album, The Wishing Chair. Lombardo cited "creative and political differences" as his reason for leaving the band. [citation needed]

Lombardo formed the folk rock duo John & Mary with the classically trained Mary Ramsey, who played violin and viola for 10,000 Maniacs and sang backing vocals on the 1993 album MTV Unplugged. The pair made two recordings under the name John & Mary, Victory Gardens in 1991 and 1993's The Weedkiller's Daughter, called "a garden of shimmering delights" by the Atlanta Constitution. Both albums were released on Rykodisc and are out of print.

Lombardo returned to the Maniacs in 1994 after Natalie Merchant's departure, with Ramsey joining as the new lead singer. The duo released two albums with the Maniacs, 1997's Love Among the Ruins, which contained a cover of the Roxy Music song "More Than This" that did well in the U.S. charts, and 1999's The Earth Pressed Flat. In 2002, after leaving the Maniacs following the death of guitarist Rob Buck, John and Mary released The Pinwheel Galaxy. With their current band, the Valkyries, they recently released Peace Bridge (2007).

Melody Maker called Lombardo "one of the very great tunesmiths and guitarists of our age", and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that he is "a fine songwriter whose adeptness at illustrating quiet desperation and rustic spirituality becomes more apparent with each listen".

Lombardo continues to perform regularly with John & Mary and has appeared frequently with the Maniacs at their local concerts.

Discography

With 10,000 Maniacs

With John & Mary

With John & Mary & the Valkyries

References

    External links

    John & Mary
    Albums
    Related articles
    10,000 Maniacs
    Albums
    Singles
    Related articles
    Authority control
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