Progressive metal guitar virtuoso
Tony MacAlpine began his musical education as a classically-trained pianist and violinist; his subsequent rock recordings retained a pronounced classical influence, incorporating elements of jazz and fusion as well. He debuted in 1986 with the instrumental Edge of Insanity, recorded with an all-star line-up including bassist
Billy Sheehan and ex-
Journey drummer
Steve Smith; for the follow-up,
Project: Driver,
MacAlpine formed the band M.A.R.S. with drummer
Tommy Aldridge, vocalist
Bob Rock and bassist Rudi Sarzo. The group quickly dissolved and MacAlpinereturned to his solo career, additionally forming his own label, Squawk; after 1987's
Maximum Security, he founded another group, dubbed simply
MacAlpine, with singer Alan Schorn, keyboardist
Mark Robertson, bassist Mike Jacques and drummer
Billy Carmassi. The band's lone record, Eyes of the World, appeared in 1990, and
MacAlpine returned to instrumental projects for the remainder of the decade, issuing a series of albums including 1992's
Freedom to Fly, 1995's
Evolution, 1997's Live Insanity and 2000's Cab. Cab 2 followed in 2001. ~ Jason Ankeny