ArtistRack brings to you: Rocky Athas “Dictator”
Rocky Athas, known by critics and fans as βThe Texas Tornadoβ, βThe Malice from Dallasβ, βThe Young Eric Claptonβ and βThe Last Great Bluesbreaker Guitaristβ, possesses an arsenal of punishing guitar riffs and catchy hooks that have opened every door. From recording his first solo album at Willie Nelsonβs studio with multi-Grammy winning producer, Jim Gaines to working with Buddy Miles and SRVβs Double Trouble to Glenn Hughes to Joe Walsh and John Mayall, Rocky has a blues rock pedigree that reads like a Whoβs Who of musicians. You might not remember his name, but you will most certainly remember his playing! With his wonderfully crafted new video for βDictator,β Rocky is here to announce his arrival from the international touring stage with The Godfather of British Blues to his rightful place front and center delivering his musical message with Texas style.
At the age of 23, Rocky Athas was one of the first and youngest guitarists to be listed in Buddy Magazineβs legendary list of Top Ten Guitarists. The Texas native shares the honor with Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Billy Gibbons, to name a few, and that was just the start of his career. He spent his time as lead guitarist for nationally touring artists like Jim Dandy and Black Oak Arkansas, racking up writing credits for two of BOAβs greatest hits, and is most widely known for his role as former lead guitar player for the βGodfather of British Bluesβ, John Mayall. His skill certainly didnβt go unnoticed , as he was soon asked to join legendary group, The Bluesbreakers, whoβs revolving cast of stars has included Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor. All the while, Rocky always found time to write his own music, and is ready to take his solo work to the next step.
His new single, βDictatorβ is a fresh take of Blues Rock Nβ Roll played like a true legend. The cut-throat licks that Rocky brings to the table slice through the mix of this roaring tune. His quintessential Strat tone gives his riffs their signature All-American grit that fellow Lone Star residents can consider their national anthem. The lyrical makeup of βDictatorβ consists of telling βthe manβ to take a hike, whomever that may be in your life. You are the one who
controls your happiness, and donβt ever let a single person try to tell you otherwise. After all the years of experience under Rockyβs belt, he still has that pure Rock Nβ Roll spunk in him that makes his lyricism and guitar playing as relateable as ever to fans new and old. As track one off the new album, Shakinβ The Dust, βDictatorβ not only serves as the perfect introduction to the record, but also to new fans around the world.
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