Born in 1954 the innovative Canadian Frank Marino is arguably one of the finest rock guitarists in the world despite his shunning of the marketing success possible through commercialization through major labels. He formed the first incarnation of the blues and heavy rock group Mahogany Rush when he was only 17. Originally he was a drummer but following an LSD induced coma in 1970, he was admitted to a Montreal hospital. A myth thereafter arose that during his coma he was visited by the spirit of Jimi Hendrix who had died around the same time, because on coming out of hospital he formed a Hendrix inspired power trio with Paul Harwood on bass and drummer Jim Ayoub and was able to play with a skill and intensity rivalling the late master. The truth however is more mundane; the hospital had a guitar lying around and as a means of taking his mind of the need for acid, he concentrated on playing the guitar and used it as part of his rehabilitation.

The band recorded Maxoom early 1972. Although their first single “Buddy” failed to make an impression in Canada, it created much interest in the FM market in the north-eastern States.

Their second album, Child of the Novelty was released in early 1974 and contained the single “A New Rock and Roll.” Again it failed to make an impact in Canada, but the amount of U.S. airplay it received enabled Mahogany Rush to open for artists such as The Amboy Dukes, The Chambers Brothers and Graham Central Station.

Strange Universe was released less than a year later and contained the single "Satisfy Your Soul." The early albums were characterized by frantic and detailed guitar riffs but the next album Mahogany Rush IV had a degree of sophistication too as shown by the epic “Electric Reflections of War.”

World Anthem was released in 1977 and is widely regarded as one of Frank Marino’s best albums. The title track and “Requiem for a Sinner” received good responses from fans during extensive touring of medium-sized venues along the east coast, northern states and in the heartland. Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush Live was recorded during the subsequent American tour and showcased the versatility and tightness normally unseen in a heavy metal trio.

Tales of the Unexpected was released in 1979 and contained a single covering Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" which gained some airplay in Canada. Haunting and mystic, his version is commonly referred to as the most under rated ever done. Although still containing the rawness and intensity of playing that Frank Marino had developed a reputation for, the album also showed a definite maturity in its writing and incorporated more effects and over dubs. The group’s versatility at this time is shown by the instrumental title track and a cover of The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.”

What’s Next was released in 1980 but failed to build on the success of the previous album. Although still concentrating on the U.S.A., they did some concerts in Europe but failed to receive the same attention.

Although Mahogany Rush never had any conventional hit records, they had established a large and loyal fan base. However by the time The Power of Rock and Roll was released in 1981, Marino’s guitar work had become overshadowed by the new wave sounds of the day and CBS dropped Mahogany Rush from their label.

Marino’s first true solo album Juggernaut was released in 1982 on Maze Records with a Mahogany Rush album, Double Live released in 1983. The band was dropped again and Frank decided their sound of blues and rock was no longer welcome by the music marketers and disbanded the group.

However Full Circle was released in 1986 by Maze with little management support and whilst extremely under-rated, is regarded by fans as amongst Marino’s best.

From the Hip was released as an independent release in 1993 but disillusionment at the way major labels had treated him and an unwilliness to compromise after their attempts to manipulate his sound, led Marino to quit performing in 1992. However, he returned with a new album the highly regarded Eye of the Storm in 2000. The range of styles used is highlighted by the Arabic sounding guitar of “Avalon” and the Jazz influenced “He’s Calling.”

During his eight year hiatus he says he grew in his understanding of Christian theology and grace, having been a  member of the Eastern Orthodox Church. He refers to a decades long acceptance of Christ that continues on a daily basis, with his personal life very focused on his faith. Whilst steering clear of the language of the “born-again community,” he was viewed by associates in the music business as a “Jesus freak” particularly since writing a series of spiritual tracts and mailing them to friends and inquisitors. Heaven’s Metal/ HM magazine also described Eye of the Storm as “a whale of a faith-centred album, testifying to Christ and His sovereignty.” On the song “Ordinary Man” Frank sings “I feel alive and know the truth is speaking/ And the words pour out and they reach into my soul/ I close my eyes and know the Lord is teaching.” On “He’s Calling,” he sings “To the lonely, the only way is to go home/ Is to go home/ To the broken He’s spoken/ Won’t you come home?”

A double live album Real Live was released in 2004.

Preferring to remain independent of the major labels through his bad experiences of their treatment of his work, Frank Marino continues to enchant a strong die-hard following with his innovative, highly technical and versatile guitar playing.

Discography

Maxoom (1972)

Child of the Novelty (1974)

Vision of the Big Two (bootlegrecorded on July 22, 1974 in Cleveland's Agora Theatre)

Strange Universe (1975)

Mahogany Rush IV (1976)

World Anthem (1977)

Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush Live (1978)

California Jam 2 (live1978)

Tales of the Unexpected (1979)

What’s Next? (1980)

Fourth Degree Burns (1980 UK promo album)

The Power of Rock and Roll (1981)

Juggernaut (Frank Marino solo album, 1982)

Double Live (1983)

Return of the Big Two (bootleg recording from the Juggernaut tour in Salinas, California 1983)

Full Circle (1986)

From the Hip (1993)

Fit for a King (1993, tribute to Albert King with Leslie West, Steve Hunter, Ricky Medlocke, Pat Travers and Rick Derringer)

Hats Off to Stevie Ray (1993, tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn)

Dragonfly (compilation, 1977)

Stories of a Hero (compilation, 1999)

Eye of the Storm (2000)

Real Live (2004)