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Dave Meniketti
(born December 12, 1953) is a lead guitarist and singer / songwriter
for 70's / 80's Hard Rock / Blues / Heavy Metal band Y&T. Dave
Meniketti has also done two individual solo efforts, which are more
blues-oriented, but is touring with Y&T on an off and on basis.
Dave Meniketti was born and raised in Oakland, California where he has been an icon for guitar players worldwide and a San Francisco Bay Area vocal and guitar legend for over two decades.
Perhaps it is the diversity of the artists that influenced him as a kid (Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, James Brown, Led Zeppelin) that is responsible for his varied expressions in both his singing and guitar playing, and what truly makes him admired by rock stars to the kid on the street.
As the lead singer/lead guitarist with Bay Area Rockers Y&T, Meniketti has sold over 4 million records worldwide, recorded 17 albums and toured across the United States and around the world. His style has influenced some of the major stars in rock and over the years he’s been asked to join many top bands including Ozzy Osbourne and Whitesnake. Secret Chiefs 3 and former Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance said in an interview with Kerrang! Magazine, 1991, that "... of course, I owe it [his guitar playing speed] all to Y&T. Dave Meniketti is my god."
While Y&T took a break from recording and performing, Meniketti built his own recording studio in his home, and proceeded to record his first solo album titled ON THE BLUE SIDE which represented his passion for the blues. He would later release a follow up album simply titled, MENIKETTI.