Tony Drake

One of soul music's most respected session guitarists, Tony Drake has worked with some of the genre's top artists. A member of blues and R&B bands led by Johnnie Taylor, Ronnie Dyson, and T-Bone Walker in the 1960s, and the Checkmates from 1981 until 1985, he spent the 1970s as a staff musician at 20th Century Fox, where he worked on the soundtracks of early-'70s television shows, including Julia and The Lucille Ball Show, and A&M, where he played on recordings by Herb Alpert, Merry Clayton, and Cheech & Chong. Working as a freelance musician in southern California, Drake accompanied such artists as the 5th Dimension, Gloria Lynne, Aretha Franklin, the Crusaders, Cher, Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Witherspoon, the Supremes, and En Vogue. He continued to work with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. following their departure from the 5th Dimension. Drake has maintained his seemingly nonstop schedule. In addition to work with vocalist Della Reese since the late '80s, he has toured with Barry White and Lou Rawls. He recently produced and performed on recordings by Lisa Gray. Playing guitar since the age of 14, Drake studied classical guitar at the Dawkins Conservatory of Music and with guitarist John Blaylock. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide