Interview with Myles Kennedy

Sofa King Cool Spoke With Myles Kennedy and we discussed Alter Bridge’s new release “The Last Hero”, playing Shiprocked, the New tour Kicking off on 21st, the chance of playing Trump’s Inaugeration, Beyonce going for Best Rock Performance Grammy, calling up slash and getting a few GNR opening dates this summer, record labels and celebrity deaths

Myles Richard Kennedy (born November 27, 1969) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge, and as the lead vocalist in guitarist Slash’s current solo project, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. A former guitar instructor from Spokane, Washington, he has worked as a session musician and songwriter, making both studio and live appearances with several artists, and has been involved with several projects throughout his career.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Northern Idaho and Spokane, Kennedy attended Spokane Falls Community College to study music theory. He began his music career in 1990 as the lead guitarist of the instrumental jazz ensemble Cosmic Dust, with which he released one studio album. His second band, Citizen Swing, released two studio albums before disbanding in 1996. With fellow Citizen Swing member Craig Johnson, Kennedy then founded the Spokane-based rock band The Mayfield Four, for which he provided lead vocals and guitar, releasing two studio albums: Fallout in 1998 and Second Skin in 2001. The Mayfield Four broke up in 2002. After declining an offer to audition as the lead vocalist of Velvet Revolver, he was asked to join Alter Bridge by Mark Tremonti in late 2003, formally joining in January 2004, and has been with the band ever since. He has released five studio albums with Alter Bridge: One Day Remains in 2004, Blackbird in 2007, AB III in 2010, Fortress in 2013, and The Last Hero in 2016.

While Alter Bridge was on tour in support of Blackbird, Kennedy collaborated with former members of Led Zeppelin on an undisclosed project, though the band never fully materialized and the songs he wrote with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham remain unreleased. He then started working with Slash, featuring on the guitarist’s 2010 eponymous solo album on two tracks and later serving as Slash’s vocalist on tour. With Slash and his touring band, Kennedy has recorded two studio albums: Apocalyptic Love in 2012 and World on Fire in 2014. He has also been at work on a solo project of his own off and on since 2009.

Alter Bridge is an American hard rock band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2004. Since its formation, the band has consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Myles Kennedy, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips. The band is known for its acclaimed live shows and extensive touring.

Following Creed’s disbandment in 2004, former members Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips began working with Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four. Named after a bridge that once existed on Alter Road near Tremonti’s former home in Detroit, Michigan, Alter Bridge released its debut album, One Day Remains, the same year. Despite mixed reviews, One Day Remains went on to be certified Gold by the RIAA. Driven by the release of the single “Rise Today”, the band released its second album, Blackbird, to more positive reviews in 2007, embarking on a successful world tour in support. The album marked the beginning of a longtime collaboration with producer Michael Baskette, who has produced every Alter Bridge album since.

Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips reunited with Creed for a tour and album in 2009, while Kennedy recorded two songs for guitarist Slash’s self-titled solo album in 2010, before fronting his band for a supporting tour. During this time, Alter Bridge continued to write material, and released its third album, AB III, in 2010 to critical acclaim, while the single “Isolation” became the band’s most successful single to date. The band embarked on a world tour in support of AB III from 2010 to 2012.

Following the conclusion of the AB III tour, the members of Alter Bridge focused on other musical endeavors throughout 2012, including solo and session work, another Creed tour, and Kennedy’s continued collaborations with Slash. Alter Bridge reconvened in early 2013 and released its fourth album, Fortress, to further acclaim later that year, also embarking on a world tour, lasting until November 2014.

The Last Hero is the fifth studio album by the heavy metal band Alter Bridge, released on October 7, 2016, by Napalm Records worldwide except in North America, where it was released on the band’s own vanity label. It was produced by longtime collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette. The album’s first single, “Show Me a Leader”, was released digitally and to rock radio on July 26, 2016.