Frank Marino Review

Mar 15, 2021 | Music, Old School, WHAT'S NEW

Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please welcome… Frank Marino, and Mahogany – RUSH!1

Such is the classic baritone opening, to a classic rock ‘n’ roll album, containing a classic performance of Frank Marino, caught live! I don’t wish to diminish the greatness of the other bandmates in Mahogany Rush, however, it is my purpose here to highlight Frank Marino, as being one of the most underrated rock and roll performers of all time. 

Credit: Guitar World

To this day, I still don’t understand how Frank never received the true recognition he so rightly deserved. Name the best guitarist in rock and roll’s long history, and I will tell you flat out, Frank Marino is either up there with them, or surpasses them. That statement includes the great Jimmy Hendrix, whom he fashioned his guitar playing after, supposedly. That is not rock and roll sacrilege! I will let those in the industry validate how hard it is to be both a lead guitarist and a lead singer at the same time – but Frank pulled it off like he was just ringin’ a bell. 

Fil Henley, a guitarist from the London-rock band Wings of Pegasus and popular Youtuber, did an analysis of Frank’s ability on his Wings of Pegasus YouTube channel2  (which I might add is highly entertaining in itself). The title of that particular episode was:

British guitarist reacts to the most INSANELY under rated guitarist! Frank Marino.

When I first saw that headline, it resonated with me big time because it was the first time I had seen someone publicly stand up for this rock and roll injustice. Fil hit the nail on the head! When reminiscing about the greatest rock and roll guitarist of all time, I have often been baffled by how critics have underappreciated Frank Marino.

In regards to how great Frank really was, don’t take my word for it… or Fil’s… let the music do the talking.

Enclosed is Frank at his peak, doing a cover of the popular blues song, King Bee4, which was originally written and produced by Slim Harpo in 1957.

Of special notice, minutes 1:50 to 2:50 and 4:00 to 5:00 in particular will blow your mind!

Humorously, around the 2-minute mark, Frank appears to be chewing gum and playing badass guitar riffs at the same time, lol… Now that is talent! I can’t even pat my head and rub my belly at the same time.

On one of Frank’s performances on YouTube, I found a fitting endnote in a comment someone left, which read…

Ladies and Gentlemen, Frank Marino is still Magnificent!

Yes, yes he is. CAN YOU DIG IT?

References:

  1. Introduction / Dragonfly – Mahogany Rush Live Intro (credit aka jeff)
  2. Wings of Pegasus
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slim_Harpo
  4. YouTube channel: therockannrolltv

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