| Rocky Athas | |
| Birth Date: | 15 October 1954 |
| Birth Place: | Texas, U.S. |
| Genre: | Blues |
| Associated Acts: | John Mayall, Black Oak Arkansas, Double Trouble, Buddy Miles, Glenn Hughes |
| Website: | https://www.rockyathas.com/ |
Rocky Athas (born 15 October 1954[1]) in Texas, is a blues songwriter and guitarist, best known for his work with Black Oak Arkansas, Glenn Hughes, Buddy Miles, Double Trouble and John Mayall.
Rocky Athas first founded blues band 'Lightning' that toured Texas and played as supporting act for numerous local bands.[2] When he was 23, Texas music magazine Buddy ranked him in the Top 10 best guitarists.[3] He is one of the first and youngest one to receive this recognition, also granted to Eric Johnson, Jimmie Vaughan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Gibbons or Johnny Winter.
He then joined several acts as a lead guitarist, including Black Oak Arkansas. He wrote two of the band's greatest hits, "Ready as Hell" and "Wild Bunch". While in BOA, he met Johnnie and Tommy Bolin (Deep Purple and James Gang), who became close friends. After Tommy's death, Rocky performed tribute shows to his friend with Johnnie Bolin and Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple and Trapeze) in support of the Tommy Bolin Archives foundation.[4] In 2009, he released A Tribute to Tommy Bolin with Glenn Hughes & Friends, a live tribute album to Tommy Bolin.
In 2000, Rocky recorded Blues Berries with Buddy Miles and Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section, Double Trouble.[3] Rocky also covered 'The Wind Cries Mary' for the album Blue Haze – Songs of Jimi Hendrix.
In 2003, he founded The Rocky Athas group and released Miracle,[5] produced by Jim Gaines, with whom he became friends while recording Blues Berries. In 2005, the band released a second album, VooDoo Moon, in collaboration with Larry Samford.[6] In 2007, he released Lightning Strikes Twice, made up of tracks from his first band 'Lightning'.
In 2009, John Mayall asked him to play lead guitar on Tough. In 2014, he recorded a second album with Mayall, A Special Life. Athas intensively toured with the legendary bluesman until 2016, when John Mayall decided to operate as a trio.[4]
In 2014, Rocky released Let My Guitar Do The Talking...With My Friends on Cherryburst Records. The album is instrumental, and Athas used several vintage guitars from his personal collection. His old friend Smokin' Joe Kubek and John Mayall both appeared on the album.
In 2015, Rocky released two compilations, entitled The Essential Rocky Athas (Volume I and Volume II), featuring several bonus tracks, including a cover of "'White Room" by Cream.
In 2017, Athas released Shakin' The Dust, produced by Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana's Supernatural).[7]
Rocky Athas has been heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Other influences are Freddie King, The Beatles, Cream, Mountain and Leslie West.[8] [4]