Ringo Starr's All Starr Band's Mark Rivera Releasing Solo Album

06/15/2012
. Ringo Starr's All Starr Bandmate and Musical Director Mark Rivera will be releasing his debut album Common Bond, leading with the single, "Turn Me Loose", to be available on the first day of summer, June 21, 2012. The album title is a nod to his career as a sideman musician and his Brooklyn roots.

Common Bond was recorded at Avatar Studios in NYC, where he also recorded what has become one of his career defining horn performances on Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer". Mark put together a group of stellar musicians to play on the album including Charlie Drayton on Drums (Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones, Fiona Apple, Courtney Love), Steve Conte on Guitar (New York Dolls, Willie DeVille, Billy Squire, Eric Burdon & The Animals), Jeff Kazee on Keyboards, (Southside Johnny, Bon Jovi), and John Conte on Bass (John Mayer, Peter Wolf, Jon Bon Jovi, Levon Helm) as well as Jonny Gale (guitar) who co-wrote three songs and Jimmy Bralower (Production and Patience) who co-wrote all of the original material on the album, including "Turn Me Loose". The album also features performances by very special guests Ringo Starr on Drums on "Frontline", Billy Joel on B3 on "Spanish Castle Magic", and Nils Lofgren on Guitar on "Hard To Let Go".

Mark started his career in 1972 with the original "Soul Men," Sam & Dave, and went on to work with Foreigner, the Billy Joel band, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates, and Simon & Garfunkel. In the mid 1990s Mark became Ringo Starr's Music Director. In Mark's own words, he is most proud of his continuing relationship with Ringo. When asked about this association, Mark smiles and responds, "I'm living a dream."

Mark will be on tour with Ringo Starr and His 13th All-Starr Band this summer. The tour starts on June 14 in Niagara Falls, Ontario and will mark the 7th collaboration between Mark and Ringo. In addition to playing saxophone, Mark is also the Musical Director of the 13th All-Starr Band Tour.

Mark Rivera CDs, DVDs and MP3s

Mark Rivera T-shirts and Posters

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