Kenny Marco

Kenny Marco
Birth nameKenneth John Marco
Also known asKen Marco
Born(1947-02-14)February 14, 1947
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
DiedMay 24, 2025(2025-05-24) (aged 78)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
GenresRock music
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1960s to 2025
LabelsQuality Records
Formerly ofGrant Smith & The Power, Motherlode, Dr. Music, Blood, Sweat And Tears
SpouseJudith Anne Chiki

Kenneth John Marco (February 14, 1947 – May 24, 2025) was a Canadian guitarist who was a member of rock groups such as Grant Smith & The Power, Motherlode and Dr. Music. He was also a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Background

Marco has been described as the most prolific guitarist in the history of Canadian rock and roll.[1] He has been a member of supergroups in the 1970s from Motherlode to Dr. Music and Blood Sweat & Tears. In later years, the musical genres he played in include American funk/jazz and Brazilian cha cha.[2]

The son of a music store owner, he grew up in Brantford. The expected music path for him was to play the accordion like his brothers. Instead he took a different direction and learnt the guitar.[3] He got his first guitar while still working as a newspaper boy on his paper route.[4] He later attended Pauline Johnson Collegiate in Brantford, Ontario.[5] He joined the high school band The Galaxies, and later at age 17, he hit the road with the Beau-Keys, his first road band, leaving his mother looking anxious as he left home.[6]

Marco died from cancer in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on May 24, 2025, at the age of 78.[7]

Career

1960s to 1980s

In 1968, he played guitar on Grant Smith & The Power's debut album, Keep On Running. Among the musicians on the album were Wayne Stone, William "Smitty" Smith on keyboards and Steve Kennedy on saxophone. There was some dissatisfaction felt by these musicians. They were unhappy about playing mostly covers. They were also disappointed with the lack of success of the record album.[8] Leaving the band, the four of them relocated to London, Ontario, and formed the group Motherlode.[9] They went on to have the hit "When I Die".[10]

When Motherlode broke up in December 1969, Marco, Steve Kennedy and Wayne Stone went on to be members of Dr. Music in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[11] He replaced guitarist Jon Palma.[12] As a member of Dr. Music, one of the albums he played on was the self-titled album in 1972, released on GRT RCC 23172.[13][14] He played on the Tequila Sunrise by David Clayton-Thomas that was released that year.[15]

1990s to 2000s

In March 2015, Marco and Theresa Sokyrka were set to play a benefit concert for the Hope Cancer Centre.[16] He had worked with Sokyrka previously, playing on her 2005 album, These Old Charms.[17]

References

  1. ^ citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Marco, Kenny, Biography:
  2. ^ The Bassment - Kenny Marco, A Canadian Music Legend
  3. ^ Saskatchewan Arts Alliance, Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - Kenny Marco, Soul Sauce: Recipe for Success By Steven Ross Smith
  4. ^ citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Marco, Kenny, Biography:
  5. ^ citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Marco, Kenny, Biography:
  6. ^ Saskatchewan Arts Alliance, Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - Kenny Marco, Soul Sauce: Recipe for Success By Steven Ross Smith
  7. ^ Thompson, Brian (30 May 2025). "Brantford-born Motherlode guitarist Kenny Marco dies at age 77". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  8. ^ Discogs - Grant Smith And The Power* – Keep On Running, Credits
  9. ^ citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Motherlode, BUDDAH’S BEST: THE STORY OF MOTHERLODE
  10. ^ Rockasteria - Motherlode - When I Die The Best Of Motherlode (1970/72 canada, magnificent brass jazzy classic rock, 2008 bonus tracks remaster)
  11. ^ citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - Motherlode, BUDDAH’S BEST: THE STORY OF MOTHERLODE
  12. ^ The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - SMITH AND THE POWER, Grant
  13. ^ Jazz Rock Soul - Artists and Albums of the '70s and '80s. Dr. Music
  14. ^ Discogs - Dr. Music – Dr. Music
  15. ^ Rock60-70.ru - David Clayton-Thomas – Tequila Sunrise 1972 (Canada, Blues/Folk Rock)
  16. ^ Saskatoon Express, March 16, 2015 - Page 17 Music, March 26
  17. ^ Discogs - Theresa Sokyrka – These Old Charms
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