Mahogany Rush

Not to be confused with Rush (band).

Mahogany Rush was a Canadian rock band led by guitarist Frank Marino. Formed in Montreal, Quebec in 1969, the band had its peak of popularity in the 1970s, playing venues as large as California Jam II.^[2]

Mahogany Rush
Scene from a performance in 1983
Background information
Also known as	Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush (1980–2021)
Origin	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres	Heavy metal hard rock acid rock blues rock psychedelic rock
Years active	1969–2021[1]
Labels	Nine Records, 20th Century Fox Records, Columbia Records, Just a Minute Records
Members	Frank Marino Dave Goode Mick Layne Avi Ludmer Mark Weber
Past members	Paul Harwood Jimmy Ayoub Phil Bech Johnny McDiarmid Vince Marino Timm Biery Claudio Daniel Pesavento Peter Dowse Josh Trager
Website	www.mahoganyrush.com

The band is perhaps best known for Marino's soaring lead guitar which bears a strong resemblance to the playing of Jimi Hendrix.^[3] Long-term members of the band have included bassist Paul Harwood and drummer Jimmy Ayoub, and Frank's brother Vince on guitar; Frank Marino is the sole continuous member of the band. Starting in the late 1970s, the group recorded and toured as Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush.^[3]

Musical style

Marino has described the band's sound as "The Grateful Dead meets jazz".^[4]

Beginnings

In an effort to gain press attention, the original record company created a fictional story that Frank Marino, prior to starting the band, had spent time in a mental institution after taking LSD and was visited by Jimi Hendrix in a vision.^[3]

Over time, the band migrated to a larger and more financially supported record company and achieved its greatest radio hit success with the song "Strange Dreams".^[5] The single "A New Rock & Roll" reached #70 on the Canadian charts.^[6]It also reached #88 on the Cash Box Top 100 charts. ^[7]

Members

Last line-up

• Frank Marino – vocals, guitars, keyboards (1969–2021)
• Mick Layne – guitars (2000–2021)
• Avi Ludmer – violin, guitars (2004–2021)
• Dave Goode – drums (1992–2001, 2005–2021)
• Mark Weber – bass (2008–2021)

Former members

• Paul Harwood – bass (1969–1986)
• Jimmy Ayoub – drums, percussion (1970–1982; died 2023)^[8]
• Phil Bech – piano (1969–1974)
• Johnny McDiarmid – keyboards (1970–1974)
• Vince Marino – guitars (1980–2000)
• Timm Biery – drums (1982–1991)
• Claudio Daniel Pesavento – keyboards (1982–1989)
• Josh Trager – drums (2001–2005)
• Peter Dowse – bass (1986–2008)

Discography

Studio albums

• 1972 Maxoom (CAN #76)(US #159)
• 1974 Child of the Novelty (CAN #83)(US #74)
• 1975 Strange Universe (US #84)
• 1976 Mahogany Rush IV (US #175)
• 1977 World Anthem (US #184)
• 1979 Tales of the Unexpected (CAN #57^[9])(US #129)
• 1980 What's Next (CAN #70)(US #88)
• 1981 The Power of Rock 'n' Roll ^{[Note 1]}
• 1982 Juggernaut (CAN #89)(US #185^[10]) ^{[Note 1]}
• 1986 Full Circle ^{[Note 1]}
• 1990 From the Hip ^{[Note 1]}
• 2000 Eye of the Storm

Others

• 1978 Live (CAN #67)(US #129)
• 1988 Double Live
• 1995 Child of the Novelty / Maxoom / Strange Universe
• 1996 Dragonfly – The best of Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush
• 2004 Real Live! (double album)
• 2005 Full Circle (remaster)
• 2005 From the Hip (remaster)
• 2008 Mahogany Rush IV / World Anthem (remaster)
• 2009 Mahogany Rush Live / Tales of the Unexpected / What's Next (remaster)
• 2012 The Power of Rock and Roll / Juggernaut (remaster)

Notes

1. Originally released as Frank Marino solo albums and later re-released under the moniker Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush.