Here are some interesting facts about guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine:
(Photo: Masquerade Atlanta)
= Tony MacAlpine was born on August 29, 1960, in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.
= He began playing piano at age 5 and guitar at 12. He studied classical piano and violin at the Springfield Conservatory of Music in Massachusetts.
= During the early 1980s MacAlpine attended the University of Hartford in Connecticut, where he focused on classical piano. His influences included Frédéric Chopin, whose études he frequently interpreted on his albums.
= In 1984 MacAlpine released his debut album, "Edge of Insanity", which showcased his virtuoso guitar skills, but also his keyboards and bass skills. Bassist Billy Sheehan played on all tracks of the album except three.
= In 1986 MacAlpine released his second album, "Maximum Security", which solidified his place in the neoclassical metal genre.
= The Same year he played guitar in the supergroup "M.A.R.S." (the initial of each musician's last name: guitarist Tony MacAlpine, drummer Tommy Aldridge, singer Rob Rock, and bassist Rudy Sarzo.) and contributed to the album "Project: Driver".
= Also in 1986, MacAlpine played keyboards on Vinnie Moore's debut album, "Mind's Eye".
= In 1987 he contributed keyboards to Joey Tafolla's debut album, "Out of the Sun".
= In 1990 he released "Eyes of the World" under the band name "MacAlpine," aiming for a more commercial hard rock sound.
= In 1992 MacAlpine returned to instrumental work with the album "Freedom to Fly".
= In the years 1993-1996 MacAlpine released a series of instrumental albums on Shrapnel Records: "Madness" (1993), "Premonition" (1994), "Evolution" (1995), and "Violent Machine" (1996).
= In 1997 he released "Live Insanity", his first solo live album.
= In 1999 MacAlpine experimented with vocals on "Master of Paradise", where he took on singing duties.
= The same year he played guitar on Vinnie Moore’s album "The Maze".
= In the years 2000-2006 MacAlpine was part of the progressive metal supergroup "Planet X" including keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Virgil Donati, contributing to their albums "Universe" (2000), "Live from Oz" (2002), and "MoonBabies" (2002).
= In the years 2000-2010 MacAlpine was part of the jazz-fusion band "CAB", playing guitar and keyboards. He released multiple albums with them, including "CAB" (2000), "CAB 2" (2001), "CAB 4" (2003), and "Theatre de Marionnettes" (2008).
= In 2000 he was featured in Mark Boals' album "Ring of Fire". MacAlpine will continue to collaborate with Boals on his next solo album "Edge of the World".
= In 2001 MacAlpine released "Chromaticity", a blend of metal, classical, and jazz elements.
= In the years 2001-2005 MacAlpine played guitar and keyboards in Steve Vai’s touring band, "The Breed", appearing on the "Live at the Astoria London" DVD (2003) and the "G3" tour DVDs: "G3 Live in Denver" (2004) and "G3: Live in Tokyo" (2005).
= In 2002 he joined the neoclassical/progressive/power metal supergroup "Ring of Fire" with Mark Boals, Virgil Donati and Philip Bynoe. He released two albums with them - "Dreamtower" from 2002 and Lapse of Reality from 2004 as well as a live album, "Burning Live In Tokyo" in 2002.
= After disbanding "Ring of Fire", Boals, MacAlpine, and Donati later formed "Seven the Hardway". They released their self-titled album in 2010.
= In 2007 he Contributed to the album "Clinophobia" by "Devil's Slingshot", with Virgil Donati and Billy Sheehan.
= In 2009 MacAlpine rejoined "Planet X" for live performances.
= In 2010 MacAlpine contributed to Dave Weiner's album "On Revolute".
= In 2011 he released his self-titled eleventh studio album "Tony MacAlpine" through Steve Vai’s Favored Nations label. It was his first solo release in ten years, and the first to feature his extensive use of seven- and eight-string guitars, which began in the days he spent with "Planet X".
= The same year he guest appeared on Derek Sherinian's album "Oceana".
= In 2012 Tony MacAlpine Toured Europe and Asia with the instrumental supergroup "PSMS"(Portnoy/Sheehan/MacAlpine/Sherinian). Their live material was released as the DVD "Instrumental Inspirations".
= In 2013 "PSMS" released the live album "Live in Tokyo".
= In 2014 MacAlpine played on "Ring of Fire's" album "Battle of Leningrad".
= In 2015 he released his twelfth studio album, "Concrete Gardens", featuring guest appearances from guitarists like Jeff Loomis.
= In 2017 he Released "Death of Roses", the first part of a planned two-part album series.
= In 2018 he released "Twelve Twelve", the second part of the "Death of Roses" series.
= The same year he appeared on Michel Polnareff's album "Enfin!".
= In 2021 MacAlpine released the album "Equilibrium".
= The same year he released "Live in Tokyo", a live album recorded during his 2017 tour in Japan.
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