Allen McKenzie
| Allen McKenzie | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1960 |
| Origin | Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock, melodic rock |
| Occupation(s) | Bassist, musician |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Associated acts | FireHouse |
| Website | www |
Allen McKenzie (born January 1, 1960, Columbus, Ohio, USA) is a rock musician. He is currently the bass guitar player for the rock band FireHouse. McKenzie has stated that he plans to "keep playing, as long as I'm still physically capable and as long as it continues to be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. For right now, all of the above apply. I feel like I've still got plenty of gas left in the tank".
McKenzie grew up in a rural area of Jackson, Ohio. In 1977, when he was seventeen, McKenzie moved with his family to Akron, Ohio. In June 1978, McKenzie graduated from Garfield High School. In September 1978, he enlisted in the army and served for three years in Landau, West Germany. His next three years of service were spent in the United States. McKenzie left the army in 1984. On 8 October 2005, he married Tina. They have three children. McKenzie started playing a C.R. Alsip bass customized to McKenzie's liking in July 2014. McKenzie met master luthier Jake Willoughby of C.R. Alsip Guitars through band mate Bill Leverty in 2012. After McKenzie heard Leverty's guitar he asked Willoughby if he would be interested in building a bass guitar & Willoughby said yes.
On leaving the army, McKenzie became involved in the music scene in Akron and played with cover bands. McKenzie then, by chance, met Dave Jackson in the rubbery refinery where both men worked. Together, they founded a local hard rock band called "Foxx" in late 1985. Foxx released two albums: Foxx (1989) and Stick it out (1991) and toured. "Foxx" disbanded in 1992, but reunited in December 2012 as a side project when FireHouse has down time.
In 1993, McKenzie joined "Quest", a prog rock band based in Cleveland, Ohio. For a long time, McKenzie had held an interest in prog rock. Membership of "Quest" allowed him to explore his interest as a singer, keyboard player and songwriter. At the end of 1994, "Quest" released a CD, Opposite sides of the picket fence. In summer, 1994, "Quest" gave an opening performance for a "Yes" concert at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. From 1992 to 1997, MTV aired the show "Alternative Nation" which reflected the popularity of alternative music. Quest's prog rock CD failed and in 1995, the group disbanded.
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