Vernon Reid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vernon Reid
|
|
|---|---|
Reid in 2016
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Vernon Alphonsus Reid |
| Born | 22 August 1958 London, England |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Mascot |
| Associated acts |
|
Vernon Alphonsus Reid, born on August 22, 1958, is a talented American guitarist and songwriter. He is most famous for starting the rock band Living Colour. Rolling Stone magazine has recognized him as one of the greatest guitarists ever. In 2003, he was ranked #66, and in August 2023, he moved up to #42 on their list of the top 250 guitarists. Critics say his guitar playing mixes many styles, from heavy metal to funk and jazz. His fast and unique solos are a big part of his sound.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Vernon Reid was born in London, England, on August 22, 1958. His parents were from Montserrat. In 1959, his family moved to New York City. He went to Brooklyn Technical High School and later studied at New York University.
Vernon Reid's Music Career
Starting Out in Music
Reid first became known in the 1980s. He played in Ronald Shannon Jackson's band, The Decoding Society. This band played a mix of jazz and rock music. He recorded many albums with them from 1980 to 1986. In 1984, he released an album called Smash & Scatteration with another guitarist, Bill Frisell. In 1985, Reid helped start the Black Rock Coalition. This group supports Black musicians in rock music.
Living Colour: The Famous Band
Vernon Reid started the band Living Colour in New York City in 1984. The band's final members came together in 1986. Their first album, Vivid, came out in 1988. It sold over two million copies, which is called "double Platinum." Their next album, Time's Up, was released in 1990 and sold over 500,000 copies, earning a "gold" certification.
Living Colour won two Grammy Awards in a row for Best Hard Rock Performance. They even opened concerts for the famous band Rolling Stones in 1989. They also played at the first Lollapalooza music festival in 1991. The band broke up in 1995 but got back together in 2000. Since then, they have released three more albums: Collideøscope (2003), The Chair in the Doorway (2009), and Shade (2017).
Vernon Reid's Solo Work and Collaborations
Besides Living Colour, Vernon Reid has worked on many other projects. His first solo album, Mistaken Identity, came out in 1996. He has also worked with dancers like Bill T. Jones and Donald Byrd. Reid performed at a special event in Brooklyn to celebrate the music of Prince. He also created music for a children's program called "Bring Your Beats."
Reid is also a successful record producer. He produced two albums that were nominated for Grammy Awards. These were Papa (1999) by Salif Keita and Memphis Blood: The Sun Sessions (2001) by James Blood Ulmer. He continued to produce more albums for James Blood Ulmer.
Reid has played with many other guitarists, including David Torn and Elliott Sharp. He also took part in a program called "Magic Science." This show featured music by Jimi Hendrix played by different artists.
Vernon Reid has composed music for films. He wrote the score for Paid in Full (2002). He also composed music for documentaries like Ghosts of Attica (2001) and Almost Home (2006).
In 2002, Reid and DJ Logic formed a group called "Yohimbe Brothers." They released an album called Front End Lifter. Reid also helped with the music for the movie Mr. 3000 (2004). In 2004, his instrumental band Masque released the album Known Unknown. They released another album, Other True Self, in 2006.
Reid has played with many famous musicians. These include Mick Jagger, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Santana, and B.B. King. On New Year's Eve 1999, he performed with John Fogerty at the Lincoln Memorial. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton were in the audience.
In 2007, Reid started a new group called Free Form Funky Freqs. They released their first album, Urban Mythology Volume One, in 2008. In 2008, Reid also played tribute concerts in Japan with Jack Bruce and Cindy Blackman. This group released an album called Spectrum Road in 2012. In 2023, Reid wrote an article about AI music for Media Post.
An Underground Railroad of the Mind
In 2017, Vernon Reid started his own radio show. It is called "An Underground Railroad of the Mind." On this show, Reid plays vinyl records from his personal collection.
Personal Life
Vernon Reid lives in Staten Island with his wife, Gabri Christa. She is a choreographer and filmmaker. They have a daughter, who was born in 2003.
Musical Influences
Vernon Reid has been inspired by many great musicians. Some of his influences include Miles Davis, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Fripp, John Coltrane, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen, and Jimmy Page.
Equipment and Guitars
In the early days of Living Colour, Vernon Reid used an ESP Mirage guitar. He also used custom Hamer guitars later on. He then worked with Parker Guitars to create his own signature model, the DF824VR. This guitar had special pickups and a Floyd Rose vibrato system. In 2016, he started using PRS guitars and worked on a signature model with them, which became the PRS S2 VR Vela. In 2024, he began playing Reverend Guitars, including models from his signature Totem series.
Selected Discography
With Living Colour
With Masque
- Mistaken Identity (1996)
- Known Unknown (2004)
- Other True Self (2006)
With Yohimbe Brothers
- Front End Lifter (2002)
- The Tao of Yo (2004)
In Collaboration
- With Bill Frisell: Smash & Scatteration (1984)
- With Elliott Sharp and David Torn: GTR OBLQ (1998)
- With Jack Bruce, John Medeski and Cindy Blackman Santana: Spectrum Road (2012)
- With The Big Ol' Nasty Getdown: Volume 2 (2017)
- With Free Form Funky Freqs:
- Urban Mythology Volume One (2008)
- Bon Vivant (2013)
- Hymn of the 3rd Galaxy (2022)
As a Guest Musician
Vernon Reid has played as a guest on many albums for other artists, including:
- Geri Allen: The Gathering (1998)
- Cindy Blackman: Another Lifetime (2010)
- Jack Bruce: More Jack than God (2003)
- Tracy Chapman: Matters of the Heart (1992)
- Whitney Houston: The Bodyguard (1992)
- Ronald Shannon Jackson and the Decoding Society: Mandance (1982), Barbeque Dog (1983), Decode Yourself (1985)
- Mick Jagger: Primitive Cool (1987)
- Public Enemy: Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987)
- DJ Spooky and Dave Lombardo: Drums of Death (2005)
Media Appearances
- Cyberpunk (1990)
See also
In Spanish: Vernon Reid para niños
