Biography

It’s 1941 in Newport, Rhode Island. Franklin Delano Roosevelt is sworn in to his third term as president. A pound of coffee is twenty-four cents and a brand new Chevy wagon sells for under a thousand dollars. War is raging in Europe. Changes are in the wind, and back home in Newport, RI, something very special happens. A musical legend is born. A musical legend named Ken Lyon.

Kenneth Lyon, Age Two

Kenny at Eleven

Born to musical parents, at only three years old, Ken begins vocal studies with his classically trained mother. By his fifteenth birthday, Ken finally lays his hands upon his first folk guitar, a Stella. He teaches himself to play and connections are made; the crucial connections between voice and music. Thus begins Ken’'s musical journey; a journey that will influence musicians for decades to come.

It’'s now 1958. High school teenagers John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison are wood shedding in the front room placing them squarely at the forefront of the blossoming folk/blues scene in England, Skiffle Music; and clear across the Atlantic, high school teenagers Ken Lyon and Billy Allen form a musical duo alled “The Seniors. Along with others on the same wavelength, such as Ken's brother Don, this places Lyon squarely at the forefront of the burgeoning American Folk/Blues Revival scene.

It’'s now 1960 and America is ready for great change. Camelot is approaching and with it the idea that the American Dream can come true. For Ken Lyon, the dream is becoming reality. Taking cues from important folk revival acts such as the Brothers Four and the World Music folk alchemy of Harry Belafonte, Ken now assumes the persona of.."Calypso Ken.” He makes his first professional appearance performing in summer evening floor shows at Ted Hilton'’s Dude Ranchin Moosup, Connecticut. In a few short months he finds himself at New York’'s famed Brill Building, home to such writers and performers as Carole King, Paul Simon and the Neils Sedaka and Diamond. Song publisher George Weiner of Wemar Music recognizes Ken’'s songwriting talents and immediately signs him to a publishing contract. Ken'’s star rises quickly, and in less than a week, Weiner'’s son Stuart offers him a second contract - this time as a singer. Ken Lyon has hit the big time.

Ken, his brother Don and and a friend rehearsing in the basement, 1959

"Calypso Ken", 1960

Remember the 45? It was the heart and soul of the hit record. Ken Lyon takes his first shot at stardom with "The Big White House", and with Dot Records distributing the new single nationwide, Ken finds himself marketed as the new up and coming pop star. He shares the artist roster with Dot'’s hottest teen idol, Pat Boone.

1961 finds Ken still heading for stardom. Stuart Weiner finds another song for him, called "“Fallen Idol".” And with the new song came an even bigger record deal as Ken is signed to the Epic label. Again, he shares the roster with another teen idol, Bobby Vinton. "Fallen Idol",” recorded with Vinton'’s own musicians and arranger, makes waves on the music scene. Epic sends Ken on his first national promotional tour sharing the bill with The Brothers Four and Gary “"U.S."” Bonds. The single hits number twenty in Canada, number one in Baltimore, and is heard nationwide on Dick Clark'’s American Bandstand.

But the commercial side of Epic Records, stardom, and the music business was not part of Ken'’s destiny. In the fall of 1961 he finds his way back to New England in search of his folk roots in Cambridge, Massachusetts - the epicenter of the growing underground American Folk Revival scene. Here Ken meets and works with such stars such as Tom Rush, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. It’s here, in Cambridge, that Ken Lyon pens his first important song, the future classic "“Dusty Road".” This song proves to be the starting point for all things musical that Ken becomes.

Woonsocket Call article about Ken's Epic Contract, 1961

Epic Records publicity photo, 1961

By now it’'s 1962. The Berlin Wall divides Germany; Kennedy stares down Kruschev during the Cuban Missile Crisis; and the country learns it won’'t “have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore.” And, unfortunately, the Cambridge folk scene won't have Ken Lyon around anymore.Ken, a Reservist since high school, is called up for active duty in the Navy. He spends the next two years sailing the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. Despite this interruption, Ken forms a band and entertains people in ports around the world.

Back home by 1964, he quickly signs on as the bass player with the region’'s top club band, Albi & The Spellbinders. When a record deal fails to materialize, Ken decides to follow his heart back to the folk scene and settles in New York'’s bohemian center, Greenwich Village.

It'’s here, in the Village, that Ken meets Noel "“Paul"” Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary and finds a lifelong friend in kindred spirit Richie Havens. While Ken performs at such legendary venues as Café Wha? and Gerde’s Folk City, Stu Weiner once again secures a record deal. This time it’s with Leiber & Stoller’'s Red Bird Records. They cut the folk-rock single “"My Life" and market Ken under the persona, “Orpheus.”

Again Ken is at the forefront of the music scene. The sound and marketing pre-date the San Francisco Psychedelic movement by an entire year. But the record was deemed too similar to “"It’'s My Life" by The Animals and the release was canceled after the initial pressing. The years 1965 and 1966, however, prove to establish Ken'’s status as a contender. He returns home in 1966 and solidifies his most enduring and successful partnership: he marries Alicia Orzechowski. Ken begins performing solo and with his brother Don playing harmonica. They perform at countless coffeehouses and colleges throughout New England.

Ken entertains orphans shipboard in Italy, 1962

Ken Lyon as "Orpheus" 1965

In late '66, Ken finds some success with an independent single, "“St. James Infirmary". Encouraged, in 1967 he releases another independent single, called "“Lonesome Trip".” Ironically, it’s the B-Side of the 45, "Rock Island Line",” that becomes an accidental hit when the jocks in southern New England start flipping the record. The song quickly becomes a staple in his repertoire and one of his most-requested numbers to this day. This cements his position as the number one folk singer in the region, but just as there are two sides to the classic 45, there were always two sides to Ken Lyon: the ever-present folk singer and the explorer of the electric blues. And this is what made 1967 so remarkable. It was here that the Ken Lyon'’s "“B-Side”" found its place in Rhode Island history. And what a year it was! Walter Cronkite delivered the news about the Vietnam War while "Sgt. Pepper" declared martial law over the radio airwaves. And Ken is present at the birth of New England’'s electric blues scene when he forms The Tombstone Blues Band.

The band consisted of the finest players on the Rhode Island scene. Along with Ken on vocals were future guitar legend Duke Robillard (then known as "Honey Bear"), Al Lobello on bass and vocals, Tommy DiQuattro on drums, harmonica virtuoso Steve Nardella, and on piano, Ken's lifelong friend and longest-running collaborator Mark Taber.

The Tombstone Blues Band takes New England by storm with their powerful live shows. This once again attracts the interest of Stu Weiner along his new partner, Mike Lewis. And again, the lure of national status calls out to Ken. Weiner and Lewis produce a single for Metromedia Records.

The deal promises to be the biggest commercial opportunity for Ken Lyon to date, and in 1968 he releases "“I’'m The Man".” But commercialism and musical integrity are often mutually exclusive and Ken, unhappy with the single, declines to cut an album and tears up his contract. Still, The Tombstone Blues Band, with its stellar lineup, continues to pack clubs. But it’s Ken’'s drawing power as an acoustic artist that overshadows his success with the band. Lewis and Weiner see this and decide to concentrate on Ken'’s acoustic career and, once again, secure a deal. This time it’s on the Decca label. It’'s now 1969, a year at the threshold of a new decade and a new beginning. And so it is for Ken Lyon.

Ken and Don at The Mouthpiece Coffeehouse, 1969

His live shows are renowned, and with help from Don “"Little Brother”" Lyon on harmonica, he records a live acoustic album at The Mouthpiece Coffeehouse in Providence.

1970 finds the international release of “Ken Lyon in Concert.” He performs at the MCA annual showcase convention with another new signing, Elton John. However, the business end of music once again dominates Ken’'s fortunes. Decca folds, and he becomes a corporate casualty. Finally, between 1971 and 1972, the original players in the Tombstone Blues Band move on.

Ken decides to pursue a teaching degree. He unplugs the electric, but continues to perform as an acoustic artist. But the tubes in his old Fender amp never go cold, and in 1973 Ken hand-picks the new lineup for a revived Tombstone.

The first photograph of Ken Lyon & Tombstone, 1973

Ken picks up the bass, and adds guitarists Paul DiChiara and Thom Enright. Filling out the band is Michael “"Squeaky"” Quinn on drums, singer-songwriter Jon Polce, vocalists Brenda Mosher and Sybilla (Hyde), and on piano, Ken'’s loyal friend and collaborator, Mark Taber. Ken Lyon & Tombstone quickly become the area's top club attraction.

As fate would have it, Lewis and Weiner, in town on business with their other Rhode Island-based act, R&B legends Rhythm, decide to say hello to Ken at his regular gig at the Bon Vue Inn in Narragansett, Rhode Island. As they approach the venerable beach bar, the line to get in is blocks-long and circles around Aunt Carrie'’s famed fish house. Astounded, Lewis and Weiner make their way through the crowd only to find the house rockin'’ with Ken'’s new Tombstone lineup. They act quickly and contact Columbia Records. A three-album deal is signed and recording begins.

The album receives worldwide critical praise. The single, "Sing Song City",” becomes an FM radio favorite and charts in Europe and Australia. Sales are brisk, and the band hits the road with headliners Mott the Hoople, and opening act Queen on their first American tour. The crowds and the reviewers agree: Ken Lyon & Tombstone can hold their own in any venue and is a band on the edge of stardom.

Ken Lyon & Tombstone, Columbia Records publicity shot, 1974

1974 brings continued success on the road and a second album is recorded. But the words “music” and “business” clash and Ken Lyon once again finds himself on the wrong side of a business decision - the band is dropped by Columbia during a corporate makeover.

The group soldiers on, touring throughout the U.S. Lewis and Weiner attempt to secure another deal using the unreleased second album as a calling card. They were successful in six previous attempts, however, the seventh time is not a charm They find no imminent interest and the master tape fades into obscurity.

1975: the Vietnam War ends, Jimmy Hoffa disappears, Bruce Springsteen makes the covers of Time and Newsweek, Saturday Night Live is born and disco won’t die. It’'s now been eight years since the forming of the original Tombstone Blues Band. Ken finally earns his graduate degree and relocates to Hawaii where he takes time off from the music business and teaches school for several years. By the end of the tumultuous seventies, Ken finds himself back in Rhode Island. For the next decade he concentrates on family, teaching and the occasional gig, either solo or with his old friend Mark Taber.

"Mr. Lyon" teaching, 1980s

Fast forward ten years: the '80s have come and gone. Ken, though not really in musical retirement during this decade, is hard-pressed to find an audience - it’'s just so hard to leave the house when Madonna and Miami Vice are “"must see" T.V. and an actor is president!

Well, maybe it wasn’t so bad ...after all, a bunch of guys from Narrangansett, John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, did pretty well after spending ten years blowing the roofs off every bar in town like Gulliver'’s and the Bon Vue and found international success with the surprise double platinum sales for their soundtrack album to the cult film Eddie & The Cruisers. Taking his cue from them, Ken decides it's time to make music again and returns to the music scene on two fronts:

He joins New England'’s finest Celtic band - the internationally renowned Pendragon, and he forms a new group, Ken Lyon & The Tombstone Blues Band. Ken returns to the studio and releases a best-selling album, “Up from the Ashes, produced by legendary boardman Phil Greene and featuring a stellar lineup of Rhode Island's finest players.

Ken with Pendragon, 1990s

As of this writing (August, 2007), for the last sixteen years, Ken Lyon has been a vital elder statesman on New England’'s musical landscape. He has reclaimed his position on the folk scene as a solo act and as a member of Pendragon, and on the electric blues scene with various Tombstone lineups and as host of a regular blues jam session at Chan's, the legendary jazz club in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

On the occasion of his 66th birthday, April 14, 2007, Ken is presented, in concert, at The Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. A near sell-out for the thousand seat hall, the event, entitled "An Evening With Ken Lyon: A Musical Retrospective", chronicles his career and success, from "The Big White House" all the way to the debut of his latest acoustic project, The Shoe Fly Orchestra.

Ken's friends and family celebrate the ups, the downs, and all points in between of a musical legacy that has endured for almost fifty years.

Since the retrospective, popular demand called for encore performances by Ken Lyon & Tombstone with the lineup featuring original member Mark Taber and most of the participants from the Stadium Theatre concert. Ken dubbed the unit "Tombstone Class of 2007", but quickly proclaimed the band as "graduates" after just a couple of shows and the personnel has gelled into a permanent unit with dates scheduled throughout 2009.

Ken Lyon has always been a multi-faceted artist; and like most artists, he prefers to present only one side at a time in order to showcase his creative focus. Also, like most artists, he prefers to look forward, not revisit the past. With this career-spanning presentation in the past, Ken is poised to continue his explorations in American popular music and is looking forward to new recording and performing opportunities which will continue to challenge and drive him to new heights.

To his fans, friends and family, Ken Lyon remains the man who paved the road out of town, but never forgot his way back home.

Ken Lyon Retrospective April 14, 2007

Pete Silva was the host for "An Evening With Ken Lyon: A Musical Retrospective". As a bass guitarist, he has been a fixture on the Rhode Island music scene for over two decades, most notably with Penny Arcade. He shares his love of language by teaching English in the Cranston school system and is well-known as a radio personality, broadcasting weekly on WHJY-FM (94HJY) in Providence.

Rick Bellaire was musical director and guitarist for the Ken Lyon retrospective. He has been active on the Rhode Island music scene since the early '70s with various lineups including The Full Circle Band, The Backbeats and The Swamp Yankees. He continues to perform today with the eclectic, acoustic collaborative, FolksTogether. He is a noted record collector, musicologist and songwriter and is the Co-Coordinator of the Rhode Island Chapter of The Nashville Songwriters Association.