Al Connelly
Encyclopedia
Al Connelly to Edward and Dorothy Connelly. Al is the founding guitarist
with the Canadian
rock band
, Glass Tiger
. He and his band were honoured with five Canadian Music Industry Juno Award
s, multiple Canadian SOCAN Classic Awards and were nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy Award
. Al has released solo
recordings
as well.
area.
It was from the Newmarket area Al,at the age of 18,was asked to play with (future) GT band mates singer Alan Frew and bassist Wayne Parker in their late seventies rock band Onyx.The band,after 2 years of Canadian road life, disintegrated and Al formed a punk band called 'The Lowlifes' which recorded some of Al's songs.It wasn't long before a new band had emerged with Alan Frew and Wayne Parker joining forces with keyboardist Sam Reid and drummer Micheal Hanson to eventually become Glass Tiger
. Al was then asked to join the new outfit in 1983. Their Toronto
area popularity and songwriting capabilities eventually led them to a recording contract in 1985 with EMI/Capitol records worldwide.They were released on the world famous Blue Note Records
under EMI Group in America.
Tours in America with Journey
(with Steve Perry on vocals) and Tina Turner
through Europe quickly secured an internationally positive response to the bands music. Micheal Hanson left the group in 1988 and was eventually replaced by Toronto drummer Chris McNeill.
The bands music is still strong and heard on the airwaves today and as recently as 2009 were honoured to be able to play to the Canadian Armed Forces stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Al continues to write and produce music today in many interesting musical genres.
Connelly has acquired Studio Engineering Tech Diplomas both through Seneca College
electrical Engineering and Humber College
in Toronto
. In addition to songwriting
, Connelly also has spent many years working with Behavioral, Autistic and Developmentally Challenged youth
.
SOCAN Awards
Classic Awards for songs:
Gold & Platinum Records
-Nearly every Glass Tiger record went Gold or Platinum
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
with the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
, Glass Tiger
Glass Tiger
Glass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
. He and his band were honoured with five Canadian Music Industry Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
s, multiple Canadian SOCAN Classic Awards and were nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
. Al has released solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
recordings
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
as well.
Biography
Al resides in the Toronto, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
area.
It was from the Newmarket area Al,at the age of 18,was asked to play with (future) GT band mates singer Alan Frew and bassist Wayne Parker in their late seventies rock band Onyx.The band,after 2 years of Canadian road life, disintegrated and Al formed a punk band called 'The Lowlifes' which recorded some of Al's songs.It wasn't long before a new band had emerged with Alan Frew and Wayne Parker joining forces with keyboardist Sam Reid and drummer Micheal Hanson to eventually become Glass Tiger
Glass Tiger
Glass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
. Al was then asked to join the new outfit in 1983. Their Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
area popularity and songwriting capabilities eventually led them to a recording contract in 1985 with EMI/Capitol records worldwide.They were released on the world famous Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
under EMI Group in America.
Tours in America with Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
(with Steve Perry on vocals) and Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
through Europe quickly secured an internationally positive response to the bands music. Micheal Hanson left the group in 1988 and was eventually replaced by Toronto drummer Chris McNeill.
The bands music is still strong and heard on the airwaves today and as recently as 2009 were honoured to be able to play to the Canadian Armed Forces stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Al continues to write and produce music today in many interesting musical genres.
Connelly has acquired Studio Engineering Tech Diplomas both through Seneca College
Seneca College
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology is a Canadian public college in the greater Toronto area. Seneca College is currently Canada's largest college with approximately 108,000 students.-History:...
electrical Engineering and Humber College
Humber College
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning is a polytechnic college in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Humber offers more than 150 programs including: bachelor’s degree, diploma, certificate, post-graduate certificate and apprenticeship programs, across 40 fields of study. Humber serves...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. In addition to songwriting
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, Connelly also has spent many years working with Behavioral, Autistic and Developmentally Challenged youth
Adolescence
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
.
Career achievements
Juno Awards- 1989 Glass TigerGlass TigerGlass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
Canadian Entertainer of the Year - 1987 Glass TigerGlass TigerGlass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
Single of the Year - "Someday" (co-writer) - 1986 Glass TigerGlass TigerGlass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
Album of the Year-The Thin Red LineThe Thin Red Line (album)The Thin Red Line is the debut album by Canadian band Glass Tiger. It was released by Capitol Records .The album is most famous for the single "Don't Forget Me ", which reached #2 on the U.S. singles chart and featured back-up vocals by Bryan Adams. The follow-up single, "Someday", was also... - 1986 Glass TigerGlass TigerGlass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
Single of the Year - "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)"Don't Forget Me " is a 1986 song by Canadian pop-rock band Glass Tiger, from their debut album, The Thin Red Line. Released as the band's first single, it reached #1 in Canada and #2 in the United States...
" - 1986 Glass TigerGlass TigerGlass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
Most Promising Group of the Year - 1986 Glass TigerGlass TigerGlass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
American Grammy Nomination - Best New Artist
SOCAN Awards
Classic Awards for songs:
- "My Town" (Co-Writer)
- "Someday" (Co-Writer)
- 1986 - Gold Single Award for 50,000 sales of the 45 RPM single in Canada
- 1988 ASCAP Pop Award - Among the Most Performed Songs of the 1987 Survey Year
- No 7 - Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart / January 1987 (21 weeks on the chart)
- No 11 - The Record (Canada) / November 24, 1986 (20 weeks on the chart)
- 1991 Animal Heart (Co-Writer) - (2nd Runner up SOCAN Rock Song of the Year)
Gold & Platinum Records
-Nearly every Glass Tiger record went Gold or Platinum
Discography: Glass Tiger Albums
- The Thin Red LineThe Thin Red Line (album)The Thin Red Line is the debut album by Canadian band Glass Tiger. It was released by Capitol Records .The album is most famous for the single "Don't Forget Me ", which reached #2 on the U.S. singles chart and featured back-up vocals by Bryan Adams. The follow-up single, "Someday", was also...
(1986) - Diamond SunDiamond Sun (album)Diamond Sun is the second album by Canadian band Glass Tiger. It was released by Capitol Records . It went certified Double Platinum in Canada.- Track listing :# "Diamond Sun" – 5:22...
(1988) - Simple MissionSimple MissionSimple Mission is the third album by Canadian band Glass Tiger. It was released by Capitol Records and is the band's only studio album without drummer Michael Hanson who left the group after the Diamond Sun album....
(1991) - Air Time: The Best of Glass Tiger (1993)
- No Turning Back: 1985-2005 (2005)
- Glass Tiger: LiveGlass Tiger: Live (album)Glass Tiger: Live is Canadian band Glass Tiger's first Live album. It was record at The Phoenix Club, Toronto, Ontario, Canada on March 19, 2005...
(2006)
External links
- Glass Tiger Boosts Military Spirits in Afghanistan article entry March 20, 2009
- Al Connelly official site, accessed 11 January 2007
- Glass Tiger Homepage
- Bio at CanadianBands.com CanConRox entry
- Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia Entry
- The Canadian Encyclopedia