Lonnie Mack

Lonnie Mack (b. Lonnie McIntosh, Harrison County, July 19, 1941- d. Smithville, Tennessee, April 21, 2016) – Guitarist and singer. After growing up in rural Southern Indiana, Mack dropped out of school at thirteen and began playing professionally in the Cincinnati area. Regarded as rock’s first virtuoso lead guitarist with recordings in the early to mid 1960s, Mack was innovative in his use of blues guitar techniques in the context of lead rock playing. A series of bluesy instrumental recordings in the 1960s—including “Memphis”—elevated the melodic role on the electric guitar. A soulful balladeer, he is also credited as one of the first “blue-eyed soul” singers.