Howard Leese
Encyclopedia
Howard M. Leese is an American
guitarist
, record producer and musical director who played with Heart
for 22 years (1975–1997). He continues to record and tour as a solo artist, and as guitarist with The Paul Rodgers Band
and Bad Company
.
, the guitarist in the surf band "the Del-Tones", and feeling the excitement from his playing. He studied violin and music theory at the City College, Los Angeles, and also played in a band called The Zoo.
Leese had his first recording contract with Ed Cobb
’s Sunburst label at the age of 15, as the band The Zoo with friend and drummer Mike Flicker
. Later, when Flicker went to work for Jack Herschorn at Mushroom Studios
in Vancouver
, Leese went with him as a production manager. While there, he and Shelly Siegel started Mushroom Records
.
It was at Mushroom Studios in 1974 that Leese helped produce a demo for Heart
. The next year, Mushroom Records signed Heart and released the group's first album Dreamboat Annie
which Flicker produced. Leese was assistant producer on the album, and was asked to join the band later that year. He stayed with the band until 1997. Leese was Heart's guitarist, backing vocalist, keyboard player and song arranger.
In 1998 he joined the The Paul Rodgers Band
. He continues to tour with The Paul Rodgers Band and Bad Company
.
. The disc includes special guest appearances by Joe Lynn Turner
, Paul Rodgers
, Jimi Jamison
and Keith Emerson
.
. As an Artist Endorser, he appeared at the "Experience PRS 2008" on September 19 and 20, 2008.
In 2009, Paul Reed Smith announced and launched the "Howard Leese Limited Edition Golden Eagle" in tribute to the #1 guitar that he played on stage for over 15 years.
Howard has used and endorsed Toadworks
guitar effects since 2004. In January 2009, ToadWorks USA released the Howard Leese Signature Model analog flanger named Barracuda, (appropriately named after the intro in the Heart song
of the same name).
1975-1997, and contributions to many others:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist
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...
, record producer and musical director who played with Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
for 22 years (1975–1997). He continues to record and tour as a solo artist, and as guitarist with The Paul Rodgers Band
Paul Rodgers
Paul Bernard Rodgers is an English rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company. After stints in two less successful bands in the 1980s and early 1990s, The Firm and The Law, he became a solo artist. He has recently toured and recorded with...
and Bad Company
Bad Company
Bad Company were an English rock supergroup founded in 1973, consisting of two former Free band members — singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke — as well as Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. Peter Grant, who, in years prior, was a key component of...
.
Career
Howard received his inspiration to pick up the guitar during the 1960s after seeing Dick DaleDick Dale
Dick Dale is an American surf rock guitarist, known as The King of the Surf Guitar. He experimented with reverberation and made use of custom made Fender amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier.-Early life:Dale was born in South Boston, Massachusetts and lived in nearby...
, the guitarist in the surf band "the Del-Tones", and feeling the excitement from his playing. He studied violin and music theory at the City College, Los Angeles, and also played in a band called The Zoo.
Leese had his first recording contract with Ed Cobb
Ed Cobb
Ed Cobb was a musician, songwriter and record producer, most notably during the 1950s and 1960s.-Career:...
’s Sunburst label at the age of 15, as the band The Zoo with friend and drummer Mike Flicker
Mike Flicker
Mike Flicker is an American producer in Los Angeles who has numerous credits on music and film projects. He is critically acclaimed for his work with Heart.- Early career :...
. Later, when Flicker went to work for Jack Herschorn at Mushroom Studios
Mushroom Studios
Mushroom Studios was a music recording facility located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with a long history in Canadian music. It has now been relocated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Leese went with him as a production manager. While there, he and Shelly Siegel started Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records (Canada)
Mushroom Records was a recording label company founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, by brothers Wink and Dick Vogel in 1974. Shelly Siegel was the label's Vice-president and creative director. Mushroom released approximately 15 LPs and 50 singles between 1974 and 1980.The Mushroom...
.
It was at Mushroom Studios in 1974 that Leese helped produce a demo for Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
. The next year, Mushroom Records signed Heart and released the group's first album Dreamboat Annie
Dreamboat Annie
Dreamboat Annie is the debut album by American rock band Heart. It was released in the United States on February 14, 1976 through Mushroom Records. It contained three hit singles which became staples on FM radio...
which Flicker produced. Leese was assistant producer on the album, and was asked to join the band later that year. He stayed with the band until 1997. Leese was Heart's guitarist, backing vocalist, keyboard player and song arranger.
In 1998 he joined the The Paul Rodgers Band
Paul Rodgers
Paul Bernard Rodgers is an English rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company. After stints in two less successful bands in the 1980s and early 1990s, The Firm and The Law, he became a solo artist. He has recently toured and recorded with...
. He continues to tour with The Paul Rodgers Band and Bad Company
Bad Company
Bad Company were an English rock supergroup founded in 1973, consisting of two former Free band members — singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke — as well as Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. Peter Grant, who, in years prior, was a key component of...
.
Solo career
2009 saw the release of Leese's first solo effort, Secret Weapon, through Frontiers RecordsFrontiers Records
Frontiers Records is an Italian record label, predominantly producing melodic rock. It was formed in 1996 by Serafino Perugino and is based in Naples, Italy.-History:...
. The disc includes special guest appearances by Joe Lynn Turner
Joe Lynn Turner
Joe Lynn Turner , is an American rock singer, known for his works with Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force, Deep Purple. From the late 1990s, he continued to perform in a large number of solo albums and other studio projects...
, Paul Rodgers
Paul Rodgers
Paul Bernard Rodgers is an English rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company. After stints in two less successful bands in the 1980s and early 1990s, The Firm and The Law, he became a solo artist. He has recently toured and recorded with...
, Jimi Jamison
Jimi Jamison
Jimmy Wayne "Jimi" Jamison is a rock vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer for the band Survivor from 1984–1989 and 2000-2006.- Further biography :...
and Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson
Keith Noel Emerson is an English keyboard player and composer. Formerly a member of the Keith Emerson Trio, John Brown's Bodies, The T-Bones, V.I.P.s, P.P. Arnold's backing band, and The Nice , he was a founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer , one of the early supergroups, in 1970...
.
Artist Endorser
Howard is a longtime player and endorser of Paul Reed Smith GuitarsPRS Guitars
PRS Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland. PRS Guitars was founded by guitarist and luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of high-end electric guitars.-Materials:...
. As an Artist Endorser, he appeared at the "Experience PRS 2008" on September 19 and 20, 2008.
In 2009, Paul Reed Smith announced and launched the "Howard Leese Limited Edition Golden Eagle" in tribute to the #1 guitar that he played on stage for over 15 years.
Howard has used and endorsed Toadworks
Toadworks
ToadWorks is a guitar effect brand owned by Ryan Dunn and Doug Harrison based in Spokane, Washington. ToadWorks is primarily known manufacturing the Mr. Ed distortion pedal, which has been incorrectly identified with Eddie Van Halen.-History:...
guitar effects since 2004. In January 2009, ToadWorks USA released the Howard Leese Signature Model analog flanger named Barracuda, (appropriately named after the intro in the Heart song
Barracuda (song)
"Barracuda" is a song written and recorded by the rock band Heart. It was released as the first single from the band's second album Little Queen .-Reception:...
of the same name).
HML Guitars
HML Guitars was founded in 1994 by Howard Leese. As a woodworker and luthier, he participated in all aspects of construction as well as quality control. HML guitars were totally hand-built in Seattle by luthier Jack Pimentel. Pimentel has continued to build hand-crafted custom guitars under his own brand JP Guitars.Albums
All Heart albumsHeart discography
This is the discography of the American rock band Heart. Heart has sold over 30 million records worldwide.-Studio albums:-Live albums:-Compilation albums:-Blu-Spec CD:...
1975-1997, and contributions to many others:
- The Zoo Presents Chocolate Moose (1968) -- by The Zoo
- Dreamboat AnnieDreamboat AnnieDreamboat Annie is the debut album by American rock band Heart. It was released in the United States on February 14, 1976 through Mushroom Records. It contained three hit singles which became staples on FM radio...
(1976) -- by HeartHeart (band)Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music... - Little QueenLittle QueenLittle Queen is the second album released by Heart. It was released in May 1977 on Portrait Records, and re-released in 2004 with two bonus tracks....
(1977) -- by Heart - Magazine (1978) -- by Heart
- Dog and Butterfly (1978) -- by Heart
- Fighting Alone (1979) -- by Dixon House BandDixon House BandThe Dixon House Band was a prog-rock/pop group based in Seattle, Washington in the late 1970s. It issued one album on New York City-based Infinity Records in 1979 entitled Fighting Alone and had a minor chart hit with the song "Sooner Or Later"....
- Bebe Le StrangeBebe Le StrangeBebe le Strange is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Heart. It was released on February 14, 1980 through Epic Records. It was the first album without Roger Fisher on lead guitar, who left the band months prior. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number five on the U.S....
(1980) -- by Heart - Masked Madness (1981) -- by Dixon House
- Private AuditionPrivate AuditionPrivate Audition is the sixth studio album, but seventh album overall, released by the hard rock band Heart, released in 1982. The album was on the U.S. Billboard 200 for fourteen weeks, peaking at number twenty-five. It contained the hit single "This Man Is Mine"...
(1982) -- by Heart - Randy MeisnerRandy Meisner (1982 album)Randy Meisner is the third album by Randy Meisner, released in 1982 .-Track listing:#"Never Been in Love" - 4:26#"Darkness of the Heart" - 4:18...
(1982) -- by Randy MeisnerRandy MeisnerRandy Herman Meisner is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Poco and the Eagles... - PassionworksPassionworksPassionworks is the seventh studio album, but eighth album overall, released by the hard rock band Heart, in 1983. The album marks a shift in musical direction from hard rock to power ballads. This album spent 21 weeks on the U.S. Billboard 200 and reached #39. The single, "How Can I Refuse?"...
(1983) -- by Heart - The Thirteenth DreamThe Thirteenth Dream- Spirit :*Randy California - Guitar, Vocals*Mark Andes - Bass, Vocals*Ed Cassidy - Percussion, Drums*Jay Ferguson - Guitar, Vocals*John Locke - Keyboards- Additional musicians :*Jeff Baxter - Guitar*Bob Welch - Guitar, Vocals*Joe Lala - Percussion...
(aka Spirit of ’84) (1984) -- by SpiritSpirit (band)Spirit was an American jazz/hard rock/progressive rock/psychedelic band founded in 1967, based in Los Angeles, California.- The original lineup :... - HeartHeart (Heart album)Heart is the self-titled eighth studio album, but ninth album overall, released by Heart. Released in 1985, the album completed the band's transition into a pop group, a genre that yielded the band its greatest success by far, marking the band's Capitol Records debut, and it spent 92 weeks on the...
(1985) -- by Heart - Bad AnimalsBad AnimalsBad Animals is the ninth studio album, but tenth album overall by the rock band Heart. Released in 1987, the album was a big hit, and was almost as successful as their previous record Heart in 1985. RIAA certification as of 2010 is 5 times platinum, indicating sales in excess of 5 million in the US...
(1987) -- by Heart - BrigadeBrigade (album)Brigade is the tenth studio album, eleventh overall, released by the popular rock/pop band Heart. Released in 1990 after a three-year gap between albums, the album featured the #2 Billboard Hot 100 hit "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" and reached number three on the U.S. Billboard 200, and was...
(1990) -- by Heart - Dangerous Curves (1991) -- by Lita FordLita FordLita Ford is a British-born, American rock musician and singer who was the lead guitarist for The Runaways and achieved popularity for her solo career between the 1980s and late 2000s.-Early life:...
- There Must Be A Place (1993) -- by Bananafish
- Desire Walks OnDesire Walks OnDesire Walks On is the eleventh studio album, but thirteenth overall, by rock band Heart. Released in 1993, it yielded four singles: "Will You Be There ", which reached #39 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, "Black on Black II", which was a mainstream rock hit, "Back to Avalon" and "The Woman in Me",...
(1993) -- by Heart - The Road Home (1995) -- by Heart
- Paul Rodgers: Live in Glasgow (2007) -- by Paul RodgersPaul RodgersPaul Bernard Rodgers is an English rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company. After stints in two less successful bands in the 1980s and early 1990s, The Firm and The Law, he became a solo artist. He has recently toured and recorded with...
- Secret Weapon (2009) -- by Howard Leese
External links
- "Howard Leese biography" The Official Website of Howard Leese
- "Howie's Page", BebeLeStrange's Ann and Nancy Wilson Site by Todd Kinzey
- "Interview with Howard Leese", Classic Rock Revisited from WebArchive