Tony Flynn
Encyclopedia
Tony Flynn is a rock
guitarist
best known for his stints with Steppenwolf
and an unauthorized 1980 "reunion" of Deep Purple
. He was originally hired to play with Steppenwolf in 1977 to fill in for Kent Henry
, and found himself called upon multiple times until 1980, at which point John Kay
and Jerry Edmonton
won back the exclusive rights to the Steppenwolf name. Shortly thereafter, Flynn joined the "new" Deep Purple, which included original singer Rod Evans
(who had left the band a decade before) and a lineup of replacement players which included Flynn's former Steppenwolf bandmates Geoff Emery (keyboards) and Dick Jurgens (drums). Later that year, after the group had played a string of poorly received concerts, former Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore
, along with managers Tony Edwards
, John Coletta
and Bruce Payne
sued Evans and won both $672,000 in damages and a permanent injunction
against Evans and his cohorts using the name "Deep Purple," ending Flynn's association with the band.
Tony Flynn currently splits residency between Northern and Southern Mexico where has lived since the mid-1980s. He occasionally plays solo shows and is often a guest at local Rock/Heavy Metal bars. Lately Tony Flynn has been performing with the Pete Best Group
, of Beatles fame.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
best known for his stints with Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf (band)
Steppenwolf are a Canadian-American rock group that was prominent in the late 1960s. The group was formed in 1967 in Los Angeles by vocalist John Kay, guitarist Michael Monarch, bassist Rushton Moreve, keyboardist Goldy McJohn and drummer Jerry Edmonton after the dissolution of Toronto group The...
and an unauthorized 1980 "reunion" of Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. He was originally hired to play with Steppenwolf in 1977 to fill in for Kent Henry
Kent Henry
Kent Henry was an American guitarist and songwriter best known for his contributions to Steppenwolf and Blues Image.-Blues Image:...
, and found himself called upon multiple times until 1980, at which point John Kay
John Kay (musician)
John Kay is a German-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the frontman of Steppenwolf...
and Jerry Edmonton
Jerry Edmonton
Jerry Edmonton was the drummer for the rock band, Steppenwolf.He was born Gerald McCrohan in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Both he and his brother Dennis, also known as Mars Bonfire, changed their surnames to Edmonton during the 1960s, when they performed in a group called The Sparrows...
won back the exclusive rights to the Steppenwolf name. Shortly thereafter, Flynn joined the "new" Deep Purple, which included original singer Rod Evans
Rod Evans
Rod Evans is a former English singer and was a founding member of Deep Purple in 1968. He provided vocals for the group's first three albums, including the hit singles "Hush" and "Kentucky Woman". He was replaced by Ian Gillan in 1969.-Early career:Before joining Deep Purple, Evans played together...
(who had left the band a decade before) and a lineup of replacement players which included Flynn's former Steppenwolf bandmates Geoff Emery (keyboards) and Dick Jurgens (drums). Later that year, after the group had played a string of poorly received concerts, former Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
, along with managers Tony Edwards
Tony Edwards
Tony Edwards is an Australian comic book artist and illustrator, best known for his creation, Captain Goodvibes.-Biography:Tony Edwards was born in Strathfield in 1944 and originally trained as an architect....
, John Coletta
John Coletta
John Coletta was English music manager and music producer. He managed Deep Purple, Whitesnake and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow,...
and Bruce Payne
Bruce Payne
Bruce Martyn Payne is an award winning English character actor and producer and was a member of the 1980's Brit Pack. Although he is best known for his villainous roles, Bruce Payne has played characters across the spectrum...
sued Evans and won both $672,000 in damages and a permanent injunction
Injunction
An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts. A party that fails to comply with an injunction faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
against Evans and his cohorts using the name "Deep Purple," ending Flynn's association with the band.
Tony Flynn currently splits residency between Northern and Southern Mexico where has lived since the mid-1980s. He occasionally plays solo shows and is often a guest at local Rock/Heavy Metal bars. Lately Tony Flynn has been performing with the Pete Best Group
Pete Best
Pete Best is a British musician, best known as the original drummer in The Beatles. He was born in the city of Madras, British India...
, of Beatles fame.
External links
- The Highway Star - Information from a Deep Purple fansite.
- Additional information - Further reading on the Deep Purple "reunion."