Guitariste du groupe Offenbach depuis 1978, John McGale a décidé d’explorer le Blues avec une toute nouvelle formation appelée Blues Force. Ce « power trio » capture l’esprit de Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, Stevie Ray Vaughan et ZZ Top… Se permettant même quelques envolées du répertoire d’Offenbach. Du bon vieux blues joué par des pros !
As a 25 year veteran of the Quebec music scene, performing with such outstanding acts as: Offenbach, The Buzz Band (Featuring Jerry Mercer of April Wine), Julie Masse , John McGale and Toyo and Dan Bigras, to name but a few, John has enjoyed performing at most major events and venues at one time or another.
From over 200,000 people on St. Jean Baptist Day, in Parc Maisonneuve Montreal, to 3.5 million on Canada day on Parliament Hill, John has done it all, but can still be found playing small clubs in and around Montreal and Northern Ontario. “There is something about the instant gratification of performing to people up close that you can’t get at stadium shows or recordings. These are my roots and its something I don’t want to leave behind” he states. John has also been involved in tours for the Canadian army that has brought him to Bosnia and Croatia in 1993 & 1994, as well as Israel, Egypt, Haiti, Alert N.W.T., Germany, and various bases throughout Canada. John has participated in Music Festivals worldwide, including France, Morocco, Dominican Republic, Switzerland, and Mexico.
As producer, John has worked with some of the biggest names in Québec music and in all styles: Breen Leboeuf. Gerry Boulet, Éric Lapointe, Nanette Workman, Dan Bigras, France D’amour, Jeff Smallwood, Kim Richardson, and Roxanne Potvin have all been under John’s direction.
As a songwriter, John bas enjoyed hearing his songs interpreted by Gerry Boulet, Breen LeBoeuf, Céline Dion, Éric Lapointe, Nanette Workman, Dan Bigras, Julie Masse, Natasha St-Pier, Mixmania, Toyo, Nathalie Lavoie, Shawn Philips and Martin Deschamps.
John has also had the opportunity to, enjoy sharing the stage with such remarkable and unusual performers such as Jaco Pastorins, Chuck Berry, Shawn Philips, Ewan MacGregor, John McDermott, Roch Voisine, John Mayall, Céline Dion, Luba, René Simard, Vic Vogel, Charlie Biddle, Dawn Tyler Watson, Rita Cicarelli, Thelma Cheechoo, Jim Zeller, Joe Cocker, B.B. King, The Temptations, Julie Masse, Marie Carmen, Luce Dufault, Lulu Hughes, Buffy St. Marie, J.J. Cale, Sonny Landreth, Jimmy James, Anthony Geraci, Steve Hill, Bob Walsh, Guy Bélanger, and the list goes on …
Born and raised in North Bay Ontario on October 30, 1956, John took an early interest in music and began playing guitar at the age of 8. During the course of his career, John also learned to play flute, saxophone, banjo, mandolin, drums, percussion, keyboards, bass, dobro and harmonica. This musical knowledge has proved very valuable when arranging and producing records for both him and other artists.
“I really couldn’t be happier with the direction that life has taken me”, says John, “I’ve had some amazing opportunities to play music with the worlds best players, and continue to love and appreciate what I do!”
That pretty well says it all !