Mike Keneally was born in 1961 in Long Island, New York. Influenced by THE BEATLES and FRANK ZAPPA, he learned to play the guitar and keyboards throughout the 70’s, moved to San Diego and played in several local bands, the most important of them being DROP CONTROL, which was formed in 1985. In 1987 he joined FRANK ZAPPA on stage for his 1988 tour as the new «stunt guitarist», replacing STEVE VAI.
Since the early 90’s Keneally participated in many projects and bands. He also began writing solo albums in 1992, but simultaneously he formed a permanent band called MIKE KENEALLY & BEER FOR DOLPHINS and toured with DWEEZIL ZAPPA, SHANKAR, STEVE VAI, ROBERT FRIPP, JAMES LA BRIE/MULLMUZZLER and some others as guitarist and keyboardist. He also teamed up with NICK D’VIRGILIO to back up KEVIN GILBERT with his concept album «The Shaming of the True», and in 2004 founded his a band aptly named «MIKE KENEALLY BAND» with NICK D’VIRGILIO, RICK MUSALLAM and BRYAN BELLER.
Why this band must be listed in www.progarchives.com :
His early solo work is heavily influenced by Zappa, but he developed his own unique style of Jazz-Fusion. Jazz plays a minor role here, most of his music is free form on a high musical level. Let me quote Robert Fripp, commenting on his performances with Keneally: «Mike Keneally was able to solo over [Soundscapes] in a way I have never been able to achieve for myself . he gave me answers to questions I had felt for myself, but never had the courage or capacity to find an answer».
http://www.keneally.com/
