Keith Scott (musician)
Keith Douglas Scott (born 20 July 1954) is a Canadian guitar player. He is best known for his long-term collaboration with the singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, although he has also worked with Cher, Tina Turner, Bryan Ferry, Tom Cochrane and other musicians.
Background
Keith Scott was born in Vancouver, where his father played jazz piano and his mother sang occasionally. His own introduction to music was playing flute in a school orchestra: anecdotally, it said that he chose the flute because he lived quite far away from the school and didn’t want to drag a large instrument case around with him. While still at school, he learnt acoustic guitar and, by the time he was 17, he had acquired a used 1960s Fender Stratocaster, which was to become a trademark instrument. Many of his musical influences are also associated with this instrument: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, for example. During his career, he has used other instruments and recently the Gretsch company produced a "Keith Scott Nashville Gold Top" signature guitar, to Scott's specifications.
Early bands
Scott formed a band with people he had met at school but quickly found work with better-known bands such as "Bowser Moon", The Handley Page Group and Zingo, playing about 300 shows a year in the then lucrative nightclub scene.
Bryan Adams
As the 1970's were coming to an end, he started doing some recording work for the then-unknown Bryan Adams. This proved successful and within a year Scott was touring with Adams. They have been together onstage ever since.
One part of Keith's live career which was particularly demanding was when Adams's band were touring as a 3 piece from 1998 to 2002. Scott performed all the rhythm and lead guitar work simultaneously, while Adams played bass and the third band member, Mickey Curry, played drums. In later years, however, the band developed into a 5-piece band, allowing Scott to play lead guitar while Adams plays rhythm. Adams's concerts often allow Scott to perform a "showcase song" to show off his lead guitar skills. Adams stands back and lets Scott go to town on an improvised solo, sometimes involving the use of microphone stands, beer bottles, or other items that can be applied to guitar strings. Examples are songs such as "It's Only Love" and "Touch The Hand". On very rare occasions, Scott has also performed his own songs at Adams's shows: for example, "You're The Reason I Wear Black", during their tour of Japan during the 1990s.
At the Juno Awards in 2006, Bryan Adams described Keith Scott as his best friend.
Trivia
- Keith Scott is married and has two children. His wife's name is Paula and his children's names are Noa Kimberly and Wyatt.
- His interests include Dinky Toys and the X Files.
- He is an ice hockey fan and plays in the musician's hockey league. His favourite hockey team is Boston.
- He stands at 5'11".
- His favourite colour is black.
- His favourite food is pasta.
- His favourite song is Into The Fire by Bryan Adams.
- His birthday landed on the same date as the Norwich (Blickling Hall) Concert 2006
External links
- Bryan Adams web site includes a section about Keith Scott
- Keith Scott Fan Club
- The Gretsch Guitars website has details of the Keith Scott signature guitar
