Warren Haynes | |
---|---|
Warren Haynes performing with Phil Lesh and Friends on December 5, 2013.
|
|
Background information | |
Born |
Asheville, North Carolina, United States |
April 6, 1960
Genres | Southern rock, blues-rock, soul, hard rock, blues, jam |
Occupation(s) | Musician songwriter record producer |
Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
Years active | 1982–present |
Labels | Epic, Sony, Sanctuary, Evil Teen Records |
Associated acts | The Allman Brothers Band, Les Claypool, Coheed and Cambria, Dave Matthews Band, The Dead, The Derek Trucks Band, Dickey Betts Band, Gov't Mule, Kevn Kinney, Phil Lesh and Friends |
Website | Official website, |
Notable instruments | |
Warren Haynes (born April 6, 1960) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. Haynes is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with The Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule. Early in his career he was a guitarist for David Allan Coe and The Dickey Betts Band. Haynes also is known for his associations with the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, including touring with Phil Lesh and Friends and The Dead. In addition, Haynes founded and manages Evil Teen Records.
In addition to singing and playing acoustic and electric guitar, Haynes is also a songwriter. He spent his formative years in Asheville, North Carolina, where he was born, and lived with his two older brothers and his father, Edward Haynes. He began playing guitar at age 12. His primary guitar is a Gibson Les Paul '58 Reissue Electric Guitar. His choice of a '58 is most likely because of Duane Allman's famed '58 Les Paul and the tone he achieved with that, rather than the more commonly used '59 Les Paul model, popularized by guitarists such as Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page).
Haynes has referred to himself as a "Gibson man", often playing Gibson Firebird and Gibson ES-335 models as well as the Les Paul models. This was acknowledged by the American guitar maker Gibson Guitar Corp. which has included a limited edition Warren Haynes signature Les Paul in its product line. Built according to Haynes' specifications and modeled on his '58 Les Paul. Haynes is married to Stefani Scamardo, a DJ for Sirius radio and the long-time manager of Gov't Mule.
In a 2006 interview with Gibson.com's Backstage Pass Haynes explains his early influences: "When I first started – chronologically speaking – Hendrix and Clapton and Johnny Winter were the first three people I got turned on to. That was the Cream era of Clapton. Then eventually, I heard the Allman Brothers and everybody else from that era that I stole something from (laughs). Of course, I would read interviews with all these people and find out who they listened to. And they all listened to B.B. King and Freddie King and Albert King and Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters and Elmore James, so I would go back and discover that stuff."