RIP Ted McKenna (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rory Gallagher, MSG)

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

Ted McKenna, drummer with Rory Gallagher, SAHB, Michael Schenker, dead at 68

Drummer Ted McKenna, who played with a range of artists including Rory Gallagher, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Ian Gillan and Michael Schenker, has died at the age of 68.

The news was confirmed on Facebook by a close friend, who wrote, "For everyone who loved him, Ted died this morning from a haemorrhage during elective surgery. Freak occurrence and a huge surgical team fought for 10 hours to save him.

"Unfortunately there was no solution to stop the bleeding and he faded away without ever knowing. I'm going to miss him so much."

McKenna was born in Lennoxtown, Scotland, in 1950, and played on all seven of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's studio albums, as well as Fourplay, the album they made without Alex Harvey under the name SAHB (without Alex).

The band, whose iconic Faith Healer was first played at the Reading Festival in 1973 – where it was a transformative highlight – were a big influence on a young Joe Elliott.

“Alex had a habit of coming up to me on stage and hammering my cymbals during the solos,” McKenna told Classic Rock in 2016. “Joe Elliott came to see us one night at Sheffield City Hall, right at the front. Alex hit a cymbal, it fell off the riser and rolled towards the edge of the stage.

"Joe told me years later that it actually cut the edge of his hand. It was lucky it didn’t take the bloody thing off. But SAHB was a big inspiration to Joe. There was really no one else around like us.”

The band splintered after Rock Drill was released in 1978, and McKenna was asked to replace Rod de'Ath in Rory Gallagher's band as it reverted to a power trio lineup. McKenna played on Photo-Finish in 1978, on Top Priority the following year, and on 1980's live album Stage Struck.

McKenna also worked as a session musician alongside Greg Lake and Gary Moore in The Greg Lake Band, the Michael Schenker Group, Ian Gillan and Nazareth singer Dan McCafferty.

More recently, McKenna was part of the Michael Schenker Fest lineup, which reunited the guitarist with the three original MSG singers, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley.

Former Status Quo drummer John Coghlan paid tribute on twitter, saying: "Very sorry to receive the sad news of our dear friend Ted McKenna. Fab drummer and such a great guy. We shall miss you."

Bassist Neil Murray wrote: "Completely shocked by the very sad news of the sudden death of drummer Ted McKenna (SAHB, Michael Schenker, Rory Gallagher and many others) who I spent time with only three weeks ago at the Cozy Powell Birthday Bash. A lovely guy and great drummer who will be much missed."

https://www.loudersound.com/news/ted-mc ... dead-at-68

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Wow, so sad to hear this. As Mark's post declares, he rocked for so many of our favorites. I need to play 'Faith Healer' by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and MSG as tribute this W/E.

Also played with Greg Lake, what a well respected and sought after drummer he was. That in itself is testimony.

RIP Ted, Thanks for all the rocking years.

Robert Meagher · 30 Sep 2006

RIP

Vambo Rules!

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2019 10:57 pm

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

I saw Ted last year at the Boulton Center with Davy Knowles performing the songs of Rory Gallagher and they were on fire! They were all coming back this March but now with this news I don't know if they will still keep the tour going.

RIP

Quote:

BAND OF FRIENDS “A CELEBRATION OF RORY GALLAGHER FEAT. DAVY KNOWLES, GERRY MCAVOY, TED MCKENNA”

Rory Gallagher’s music reached a massive audience from Norway to Spain, from Japan to the USA, covering all parts of the globe and producing some of the greatest rock/blues albums of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Sadly we lost Rory on June 14th, 1995. To his devoted fans and followers, this was the ultimate tragedy.The BAND OF FRIENDS is not a tribute to Rory, But more a celebration of his life and music. The band consists of musicians who played with Rory as his rhythm section for years and is fronted by the incomparable Davy Knowles!

GERRY McAVOY (Bass Guitar) played with Rory for 20 years, from 1971 to 1991 and, because of this, has a great insight into the man and his music. Gerry played on every album Rory ever made and wrote a book about his career, published in 2005, called “RIDING SHOTGUN”. The book was also published in Germany, where it was titled “ON THE ROAD”. Gerry is also known for his time spent with Champion Jack Dupree, Deep Joy and Nine Below Zero.TED McKENNA (Drums) played with Rory from 1977 to 1981. He has played with numerous rock legends such as Greg Lake, Gary Moore and The Michael Schenker Group just to name a few, and has recorded some of the top albums of our time. Ted is a “rock drummer’s drummer.”Davy Knowles is a Blues Rocker originally from the Isle Of Man and currently resides in Chicago, IL. He is best known for fronting his own Band, the Davy Knowles Band as well as being the Frontman for the popular blues rock band, Back Door Slam.Knowles’ musical influences include Robert Johnson, Dire Straits, Rory Gallagher, Peter Green and Eric Clapton to name a few. He has toured alongside the likes of Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Chickenfoot, The Rhythm Devils and Gov’t Mule.

Make NO mistake, This is NO tribute band. This is THE RORY GALLAGHER BAND. The BAND OF FRIENDS is a force to be reckoned with and is available for touring and summer festivals through 2018.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Thanks for sharing John.

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

Ted with MSG in Tokyo.

Available at viewtopic.php?f=15&t=102072

Both Rick and I have this on CD/DVD. Highly recommended.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Mark is so right, he demanded I get this and I followed his order. I owe him a big Thanks as this CD/DVD package made my favorite live release for the year. It's that good.

Long live Ted!

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

Btw, for those who watched the videos, the chubby guy on bass is original MSG bassist Chris Glenn (also of the SAHB).

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

Yes, I also saw Ted play the drums on the Mike Schenker tour with the 3 lead singers a year ago at the Irving Plaza, great show! They will also be touring through Long Island in May (Mothers Day).

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

JohnG wrote:

Yes, I also saw Ted play the drums on the Mike Schenker tour with the 3 lead singers a year ago at the Irving Plaza, great show! They will also be touring through Long Island in May (Mothers Day).

Well we will know now where your wife will be going that evening. :wink:

RIP Ted McKenna (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rory Gallagher, MSG)

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