Roy Kenner

Roy Douglas Kenner (born January 14, 1948 in Toronto) is a Canadian singer and songwriter, most notable as the lead vocalist of Mandala in the late 1960s and as the lead vocalist of the James Gang during 1972–1974.

Roy Kenner
Birth nameRoy Douglas Kenner
Born (1948-01-14) January 14, 1948
OriginToronto, Canada
GenresRock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals

History

Kenner's international fame was primarily as the lead vocalist for the James Gang from 1972 until 1974. He joined the group after the departure of Joe Walsh and was with the band with guitarist Domenic Troiano and later Tommy Bolin. He was also with Domenic Troiano in the Canadian bands Mandala and Bush, both of which had some degree of international success, and sang on Troiano's solo albums.[1]

In the 1970s, Kenner was instrumental in launching the career of Lisa Dal Bello. Her first single, "(I Don't Want To) Stand in Your Way," was written by Kenner, and is regarded as one of the strongest songs on her self-titled 1977 debut album.

Following his time with the James Gang, Kenner worked with a Toronto-based television musical variety show, Music Machine, for approximately two years, after which he worked with Garry Peterson (drummer for The Guess Who) in an unrecorded R&B band, Delphia. In 1975, Kenner joined the U.S. band, Law,[2] and recorded two albums with them, on the Goldhawke Records|Goldhawke record label, owned by Roger Daltrey.

Kenner then rejoined Domenic Troiano, co-writing and singing on Troiano's 1979 album, Fret Fever. The record included the dance hit "We All Need Love," Troiano's biggest commercial success. The two also collaborated on TV soundtracks, in particular the theme to the TV series "Night Heat".

Despite his international success as a lead vocalist, Kenner has never released a solo album. In 1982, he contributed to one half of a six-song EP, Roy Kenner/The Royals, with three songs co-written with and produced by Domenic Troiano.[3]

Kenner currently does jingles and voice-over work in Toronto, in addition to performing occasionally. He has performed at the 2006 and 2007 "We All Need Love" tribute concerts for Domenic Troiano, who succumbed to cancer in 2005.

Discography

Mandala

Bush

James Gang

Law
  • 1977 Breakin' It (MCA)
  • 1977 Hold On To It (MCA)

Solo
  • 1982 Roy Kenner/The Royals

Other contributions

References
  1. Jeremy Frey, Profile of Roy Kenner; AllMusic.
  2. Not to be confused with the later Paul Rodgers – Kenney Jones band of the same name.
  3. The other songs on the EP featured George Olliver and Bobby Dupont, two well-known Toronto-based rhythm and blues artists. Nearly fifteen years earlier, Kenner had succeeded Olliver as the lead singer of Mandala, resulting in Kenner, rather than Olliver, contributing the vocals to Mandala's 1968 Soul Crusade album.
  • An image of Roy Kenner at the 2006 Domenic Troiano tribute concert (Kenner at far right) is accessible here.
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