William G. Leverty II (born January 30, 1962) is an American guitarist. He is a founding member of the hard rock band FireHouse and has been responsible for writing many of the band's hit songs. Throughout the 2000s, Leverty has also pursued a solo career, releasing five albums: Wanderlust, Southern Exposure, Deep South, Drive, and Divided We Fall. Following the death of founding member and vocalist CJ Snare, Leverty alongside drummer Michael Foster are the only original members still active in the band.
Bill Leverty | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William G. Leverty II |
| Born | January 30, 1962[1] Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | Hard rock, glam metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Member of | FireHouse |
| Formerly of | White Heat |
| Website | leverty |
Biography
editBorn in Richmond, Virginia, Leverty's parents gave him a guitar when he was 4 years old, although he didn't take playing guitar seriously until he was 14. Around this same time, Leverty began to study music theory in high school.[1] In 1984, Leverty's band, White Heat, held auditions for drummers and it was here that Leverty met fellow Richmond native and his longtime bandmate and collaborator, Michael Foster. In 1988, Leverty and Foster's White Heat combined forces with C.J. Snare and Perry Richardson. Before signing to Epic Records in 1989, White Heat changed their name to FireHouse.[2] Firehouse went on to sell over 7 million albums worldwide, as well as win the 1991 American Music Award for "Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist."[3][4][5]
In 1993, Leverty won an ASCAP songwriter award for Firehouse's highest charting single, "Love of a Lifetime."[6][7]
In 2004, after 15 years with Firehouse, Leverty released his first solo album, Wanderlust. On October 9, 2007, Leverty released his first instrumental and second solo album, Southern Exposure, followed by a third album, Deep South, in 2009. His fourth solo album, Drive, was released in February 2013. Leverty released his fifth album, Divided We Fall, in 2020.[8]
In 2013, Leverty formed a supergroup, Flood the Engine. FTE is composed of Leverty, Jimmy Kunes (Cactus), Keith Horne (Tanya Tucker, Waylon Jennings, Trisha Yearwood, Luke Bryan), and Andre Labelle (Vinnie Vincent). Flood the Engine released their only album, Flood The Engine, in 2013.[9]
Gear
edit
Throughout the 1990s, Leverty held an endorsement deal with Yamaha Guitar Development. He played the Yahama Pacifica model for 16 years.
On July 4, 2006, GREM USA announced that Leverty signed an exclusive endorsement with the guitar manufacturer. GREM guitars produced "The Bill Leverty Free Radical" model.
In 2012, Leverty began working with C.R. Alsip Guitars and became the guitar manufacturer's first endorsee. Leverty worked hand in hand with C.R. Alsip's master luthier & owner, Jake Willoughby, in the prototyping stages. Soon thereafter, Leverty's C.R. Alsip guitar known as "Lucky 13" was born. Leverty's second Alsip, "Goldie," was pictured on his fourth solo album, Drive.[10]
Personal life
editLeverty married his wife Kris in 1996; together they have one child.
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Wanderlust (2004)
- Southern Exposure (2007)
- Deep South (2009)
- Drive (2013)
- Divided We Fall (2020)
with Firehouse
edit- FireHouse (1990)
- Hold Your Fire (1992)
- 3 (1995)
- Good Acoustics (1996)
- Category 5 (1998)
- O2 (2000)
- Prime Time (2003)
- Full Circle (2011)
with Flood the Engine
edit- Flood the Engine (2013)
References
edit- ^ a b Curran, Colleen (January 9, 2016). "Richmond guitarist Bill Leverty on FireHouse fame". Richmond Times Dispatch. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2024. Reported on January 9, 2016, to be 53 years old.
- ^ Binggeli, Dagi (September 30, 1991). "'FIREHOUSE' Warms You Without Burning You Out". Deseret News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021.
- ^ Mills, Fred (October 11, 2005). "Firehouse plans to stay hot". Tampa Bay Times.
- ^ Nieman, Carrie (July 24, 2002). "Firehouse: Hard rock band". Style Weekly. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015.
- ^ "19th American Music Awards (presented in 1992)". Rock On The Net. Archived from the original on July 4, 2004. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (May 25, 1993). "Warren, 'Best' tapped tops at ASCAP gala". Variety. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014.
- ^ Wilker, Deborah (September 30, 1992). "Firehouse More Than Just A Ballad Band". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 8, 2019.
- ^ Wood, James (March 4, 2013). "'Drive': FireHouse Guitarist Bill Leverty Discusses New Album of Classic Cover Songs". Guitar World. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020.
- ^ Wood, James (November 15, 2013). "Firehouse Guitarist Bill Leverty Discusses His New Project, Flood The Engine". Guitar World. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020.
- ^ "Gear". Leverty.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021.
External links
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