Bobby Manriquez, a native Washingtonian guitarist,
singer/songwriter, has repeatedly broken through
what for most is an impenetrable barrier, rising from
local to national and international stages. He's also
no stranger to a drum kit.
In the early 70's he shared lead guitar duties in a
D.C. based band climaxing in the A&M Records
release of "Daddy's Girl" in 1976. During the same
period, he was selected to be the lead guitarist for
the touring band of Capitol Records artist Kathi
McDonald, parts vocalist for the likes of the Rolling
Stones and Tina Turner. Her just released album,
"Insane Asylum" was manned by guitar greats Neil
Schon of Journey and Ronnie Montrose. The new
group joined such acts as Rufus, KISS, and
Earth,Wind & Fire in entertaining U.S. audiences.
Work with the late, great producer David Briggs (Neil
Young, Alice Cooper, Nils Lofgren) began for Bobby
as Capitol anticipated the release of a second album
for Kathi.
The late 70's brought a very successful affiliation
with gifted guitarist/songwriter Nils Lofgren, which
saw extensive U.S. and European touring. This
period also marked a continuation and increase in
very positive press for Bobby including Rolling Stone
Magazine, Billboard Magazine and several large city
papers. The bills included appearances with
Santana, Jeff Beck, Fleetwood Mac, Rick Derringer,
and other greats . Also, such T.V. appearances as
the London BBC recording of the "Old Grey Whistle
Test" would later be released by Lofgren on a 1993
CD titled the same. What followed was a period of
more than a decade which Bobby endearingly calls a
"self- induced change of life," where full attention was
devoted to improving on the kind of lifestyle that so
many fell victim to in the 70's and 80's. He stopped
playing.
Bobby reemerged in 1994-95 as the lead guitarist
for soul legend Wilson Pickett. Obviously revitalized,
Bobby further broadened the spectrum of his musical
portfolio with authentic sureness and played shows in
the states and abroad.
Bobby's first solo CD is being made ready for
promotion and sales. Visit the sound sampler page
for bytes from "Another Shade of Blue(s)"
