In MemoriamTed McKenna March 10, 1950 – January 19, 2019Born in Scotland, Ted would make his mark drumming for The Sensational Alex Harvey Band from 1972-1978. Alex Harvey was an interesting cat to say the least. Musically, they were like a cross between Alice Cooper and Slade. Future MSG bassist Chris Glenn was also a member of TSAHB.
I've never actually done a deep dive on Alex Harvey but I did buy
The Sensational Alex Harvey band Live when I was a kid due to the McKenna/Glenn MSG connection.
Here they are on
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.
Alex Harvey would pass away from heart failure the day before he would turn 47 in 1982.
Ted would leave Alex Harvey and join Rory Gallagher's band for 1978's
Photo Finish, 1979's
Top Priority, and the 1980 live album
Stage Struck.
I actually had Top Priority on 8-track when I was a kid.
I literally never knew Ted McKenna was the drummer on it until I started researching this thread.
Ted would next play on
Greg Lake's 1981 s/t. This album also features Gary Moore.
He would then join the Michael Schenker Group for the Assault Attack and Built To Destroy albums.
He would play on assorted projects after that and even took on a lecturing job at North Glasgow University.
He and Chris Glen would once again join Michael Schenker for the Michael Schenker Fest in 2016, playing on the Live Tokyo International Forum A live album, and recording both Resurrection and Revelation.
Sadly he passed away after hemorrhaging during a routine hernia surgery.
I am so very thankful I finally got to see him live with the Michael Schenkler Fest.