Bill Leverty was born in Richmond, VA, where he was exposed to many different styles of music ranging from rock, funk, soul, blues, flamenco, and country. Bill was drawn to the sound of the guitar early in life, but didn’t actually start playing until the age of 14 when he took a group class once a week, for 8 weeks. “Learning chords first, rather than notes, really captured my interest because I was able to start playing songs immediately, the first being ‘Sweet Home Alabama’”.
Check out the title track of Bill Leverty’s latest instrumental album,
Southern Exposure:
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After learning the basic major, minor, and minor 7th chords, Leverty began to delve into the world of melodic lead guitar playing, first inspired by guitarists like Ted Nugent, Eddie Van Halen, and of course, Southern bands like The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top. “I always had a real love for Southern music. The style just won my heart over. Something about the way those Southern melodies make me feel will always be a vibe that I will gravitate towards.”
After changing schools in 9th grade, Bill began his quest to put together a band that would encompass his passion for Southern feel rock with an edge. He formed Continental Drift, and began playing in night clubs at the tender age of 16. After his high school graduation, Bill attended Virginia Tech, where he played with several fledgling bands. Ultimately, Bill decided that college should be put on hiatus in order to pursue his musical aspirations. “It was a tough decision that really concerned my parents who wanted me to have a college education. I assured them that if it didn’t work out, I would go back to school”.
After leaving college, Bill began working steadily towards the goal of securing a major label contract. He formed a band in Richmond called White Heat which began playing clubs almost immediately, performing a repertoire of 70% cover tunes and 30% original material. “We got a lot of gigs and played 5 nights a week. Our original songs became almost as popular as the cover tunes we were playing. I remember many a night finishing loading our U-Haul rental truck in Norfolk, VA, driving home the nearly 2 hour drive,
getting home at 5am, and having to be back at work in the grocery store at 7am. It was pretty brutal”
White Heat went through many personnel changes and eventually got a record deal with Epic Records and had to change their name to FireHouse due to trademark issues. FireHouse went on to sell over 6 million albums and win the American Music Award in 1991 for best new hard rock, heavy metal artist. “Those were the days!”
Leverty continues to play guitar for FireHouse, recording and touring around the world, and has recently put out 2 solo albums: WANDERLUST and SOUTHERN EXPOSURE. WANDERLUST is a vocal album with classic rock influences. Leverty brought in Gregg Allman’s bassist Bruce Waibel, and FireHouse drummer, Michael Foster as the rhythm section. For SOUTHERN EXPOSURE, Leverty’s first instrumental album, Foster again provided the drumming while Leverty played bass, keys, and guitars. “I’m having the time of my life!”, says Leverty. “I’m able to play about 60 FireHouse gigs a year, and also, put out side projects that show different sides of me as an artist. I just love making music.”
You can hear more by visiting his website: www.leverty.com.
Also, check out the FireHouse website: www.firehousemusic.com
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19 responses so far ↓
1 Len // Jun 6, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Hey Bill …. Great Job!
2 Rich Cook // Jun 6, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Congrats Bill! You’re the man!!!!!!!!!
3 Rich Cook // Jun 6, 2008 at 6:47 pm
PS……….waiting for you guys to get back to orlando
4 Jim // Jun 6, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Bill:
Good stuff man.
For those of you who have not heard “Wanderlust” or “Southern Exposure”….You simply have to check them both out.
Thoughtful-Well Constructed Songs….& Superb Musicianship all together-Which is getting ever difficult to find.
Rock On Bill.
Jim
5 David // Jun 6, 2008 at 7:07 pm
I’ve known Bill personally for several years. Not only is he an amazing guitar player and a distinguished song writer, but he is a man of high character and principles as well. As a side note (no pun intended), he is also a very good ice hockey player as well.
Bill’s wide range of guitar skills can be seen in his work with Firehouse and his two side projects, Wanderlust and Southern Exposure. Wanderlust rises to the standards of southern rock set buy the likes of the Allman Brothers while his guitar talents displayed on Southern Exposure are on a level with Steve Vai, Jeff Beck, and Joe Satriani.
Bill has a dedication for music equaled by very few. He takes writing and playing music very seriously while at the same time he enjoys and cherishes every second of the time he spends on his passion. The only thing he cares for more than his music are his friends and his beautiful family. If you ever attend one of his shows, be sure to take the time to go up and say hello.
6 Dale in Pittsburgh // Jun 6, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Been watching Bill play guitar for 25+ years, it never gets old…
7 andy white // Jun 6, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Congrats bill!
I hope all is well.
Very proud of you….so much real talent and a genuine guy. Hope the family is well.
Andy-parmalee
8 Jason Bain // Jun 6, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Congratulations Bill still love your work with FIREHOUSE and still waiting for you guys to tour AUSTRALIA!!!!!!
9 Sue in Ohio // Jun 6, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Love Bill’s work, nice to read such a nice piece about him. COngratulations, Bill!
10 Pat Mc. // Jun 7, 2008 at 12:39 am
What a great sucess story.
God Bless.
11 Marcio Tex // Jun 7, 2008 at 3:27 am
really a great success story… well, bring us firehouse again! in spite of all of your works is cool… your music is awesome!
12 Bill Leverty // Jun 7, 2008 at 8:34 am
Thanks to GuitarPlayerZen.com for running this article, and thanks to everyone who took the time to read it and leave a comment. Hope to see y’all on tour soon… Bill
13 Border Rat // Jun 7, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Well done Bill.Your work in Firehouse is still my favourite music.Keep on rocking.
14 Kuni and her Friends // Jun 7, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Firehouse did some extremely impressive shows in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka in April. Cannot wait till you come back again soon to this way to the far east.
15 Denise // Jun 8, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Congratulations Bill!! You are and always will be number one with me. Hope to see you in Kalamazoo, Mi. soon.
16 Steve // Jun 8, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Great Stuff Bill! I love your work on the two solo albums and would love to see Firehouse come to Melbourne Australia. All the Fans would love a new Firehouse album too! Rock On.
17 Chris Gibbs // Jun 9, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I’ve been a fan since the first FIREHOUSE record. Rock on!
18 MARCOS "SCKENKER" LOZORNIO // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:15 am
hi, Bill. awesome, congrats, dude, i hope you continue with your succes career, all the best.
you’re my religion.
19 Al // Jun 15, 2008 at 10:03 am
Great new album “Prime Time”….
You are good dude!
“ROCK ON”
We love you guys in LV!
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