By Thomas Semioli

John McKenzie, bass player; Seal, The Pretenders, The Eurythmics, Dr. John, Everything But The Girl, James Ingram, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Damien Rice Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, Alison Moyet, Renato Zero, Karl Jenkins, Bond, Moya Brennan, Eternal, Shakira, Graham Lyle, Charles Aznavour, Andrea Corr, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Jim Diamond, Tom Scott, Paul Brady, Johnny Mathis, Wham, Andy Newmark, Blair Cunningham Leon Ware, Mudbone, The Breakfast Band, Kokomo,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Maksim Wild, Sinead O’Connor, Reel People Steve Hillage, Man, Leo Sayer, Eric Burdon, Annette Peacock, Davy Spillane, Mirage, Global Village Trucking Company, Albert Lee, Tim Finn….to cite a select few.

A remarkably prolific genre-traversing, versatile UK session ace, sideman, collaborator, composer, bandmember, and educator, among other endeavors: John Michael McKenzie’s resume of credits was astounding.

A supportive soulful player who worked the trad four, fretless, and extended range…dig John with…

Everything But The Girl “Five Fathoms” https://youtu.be/x67EEIBuwIw

The Pretenders “Let’s Make a Pact” https://youtu.be/Lteg_r9alSU

Seal “ Future Love Paradise” https://youtu.be/cj21h504wKU

Bond Live at the Royal Albert Hall https://youtu.be/6OLEnJj5Y80

Steve Hillage “Live at Canterbury” https://youtu.be/MExLFl2g688

“John McKenzie Rocks That Bass” https://vimeo.com/196673711

 

In a Big Country…Let My Love Open the Door…Back on the Chain Gang….My City was Gone…

 

He anchored some of the most enduring British pop hits of the 1980s with bass passages that were instantly recognizable and as memorable as the melodies and lyrics!

 

A bassist, vocalist, writer, solo recording artist, and educator (Livewire Youth Music Project), touted for his tenure in Big Country, Tony Butler was also an in-demand session player and sideman, rendering his dual melodic / in-the-pocket artistry in the service of Pete Townshend, The Pretenders, and Roger Daltrey among others.

 

Tony cites prog-rock icons Chris Squire and Mike Rutherford as his primary bass influences

 

Vintage Guitars issued a Tony Butler Signature Bass in 2011. Among Tony’s weapons of choice also include Fender Precision, Rickenbacker, Aria Pro (a former endorsee), and Washburn.

 

In 2017  Tony waxed his debut solo slab entitled My Time which features his Big Country bandmate Mark Brzecki on drums.

 

Tony Butler Sound & Vision:

 

Big Country:

 

“In A Big Country” https://youtu.be/657TZDHZqj4

 

“Fields of Fire” https://youtu.be/19eti8Lf2Zo

 

“Harvest Home” https://youtu.be/QByihCyvNJI

 

Live at Reading 1986  https://youtu.be/1UlnVnQ06ZM

 

The Pretenders:

 

“My City Was Gone” https://youtu.be/thu8DWsirJo

 

“Back on the Chain Gang” https://youtu.be/CK3uf5V0pDA

 

Tony Butler:

 

“Heaven Saved a Place for You” https://youtu.be/PcjJoCdpJgY

 

“Here Comes the First One” https://youtu.be/J29N6fWEEkg

 

Pete Townshend:

 

“Let My Love Open the Door” https://youtu.be/9dw29xpA0Qg

 

“Slit Skirts” https://youtu.be/nAL7RYHKrlA