Biography
Aynsley picked up the guitar at 8 and played his first gig at 13. One year later on a family trip to San Francisco, he was jamming at ‘Lou’s Bar’ on Pier 49. Brought up on his father’s record collection, he had learned to play by ear and would sit for hours in his bedroom playing along to old 45s of Freddie King , John Mayall and Eric Clapton . He spent the next few years honing his craft and would play with anyone, anywhere. By the time he was 18, he had worked his way through various bands and decided to form his own. The band recorded two albums, but it was the second of these two that started things happening. Aynsley had begun writing and it was the three original numbers of this album that attracted the attention of Ruf Records ’ head honcho Thomas Ruf. In the summer of 1998, they signed a deal. Armed with an album worth of original songs and a handful of covers, Aynsley went into the studio with Producer Jim Gaines and set to work of his first major album, ‘Aynsley Lister’, featuring a guest appearance by Walter Trout
It would prove to be the start of a long and fruitful career taking him over the next few years all over Europe and working with some of the top names on the circuit. While Lister’s roots may be the blues, his own material incorporates more contemporary influences. His hard-hitting rhythms and guitar work are reminiscent of a young Clapton.
In those early years since his first album. Aynsley was already opening for artists such as Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, John Mayall and contemporaries such as Bryan Adams and Fun Lovin Criminals .
Now Aynsley headlines many of the major festivals in mainland Europe. He has twice played the Heitere Open Air in Switzerland to 12,000 people and 2006 saw him play the main stage at The Bayfront Blues Festival, MN. Later that year he was invited to sit in with Delbert McClinton during his second appearance (the first being in 2002) at The Pinedale Blues Festival in Wyoming, resulting in Delbert keeping Aynsley on stage for the whole second half of his show. September 2006 saw the US debut release of his 2000 album ‘Everything I Need’ in preparation for Aynsley’s plan to tour the America. Getting plenty of airplay it received critical acclaim.
Aynsley’s recorded work, he has sold over 75,000 records, has seen him working with Jesse Davey from legendary English blues band The Hoax on ‘Everything I Need’ in 2000; producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia) on his 2002 release ‘All Or Nothing’, and taking the production reins himself for 2007’s ‘Upside Down’. ‘Upside Down’ was Lister’s fourth studio album and his first to contain all originals
The only British artist to be featured in Classic Rocks 2007 review: TOP 10 CONTEMPORARY BLUES ARTISTS….......alongside The White Stripes, The Black Keys, John Mayer, Jon Spencer, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd , Joe Bonamassa , Derek Trucks and the North Mississippi Allstars
In June of 2008 Aynsley began working with ARM Management. ARM has worked with many successful artists, including The Hoax and more recently Eric Bibb. He signed to Manhaton Records in August 2008 and ‘Equilibrium’ was released in March 2009. ‘Equilibrium’ was produced by Steve Darrel Smith and features appearances by Robbie McIntosh(John Mayer) and also heralds a new direction for Lister.
Equilibrium has received tremendous reviews. Bob Harris claims it to be Aynsley’s best album so far. Classic Rock has listed in the top 50 albums released so far this year.
In May this year Aynsley supported Lynyrd Skynyrd on their Uk tour, playing to 16,000 people in 4 nights.
Instrumentation
Aynsley Lister - Guitar and vocals
Simon Small - Drums and backing vocals
Midus G - Bass and backing vocals
Dan Healey - Keyboards
Discography
1999 RUF1031 'Aynsley Lister' CD
2000 RUF1055 'Everything I Need' CD
2001 RUF1074 'Supakev n Pilchards' CD
2002 RUF1082 'All Or Nothing' CD
2004 RUF1100 'LIVE' CD
2004 RUF3005 'LIVE' DVD
2006 RUF1112 'Pilgrimage' CD
2006 RUF3014 'Blues Caravan' DVD
2007 RUF1124 'Upside Down' CD
2009 HATMAN2024 'Equilibrium' CD
Links
| http://www.aynsleylister.co.uk |