Reggie Lucas

Reginald Grant Lucas (February 25, 1953 – May 19, 2018)Reggie Lucas Obituary
legacy.com accessdate July 20, 2018 was an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. Lucas is perhaps best known for producing the majority of Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album, and for playing rhythm guitar with the Miles Davis electric band during the first half of the 1970s.

Early life

Lucas was born on February 25, 1953 in Flushing, Queens, New York. He attended the Bronx High School of Science, but dropped out to focus on his music."Obituary: Reggie Lucas"
''Montclair Local'', May 25, 2018. Accessed July 15, 2020. "Reggie Lucas, a guitarist, songwriter, producer, and longtime Montclair resident, died of complications resulting from heart disease on May 19, 2018 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. The musician, who played with Miles Davis and helped to launch Madonna’s career, was 65.... Unusually talented and independent, Mr. Lucas dropped out of Bronx Science High School after the New York City teachers’ strike of 1968 and pursued a career in music."

Career

Early in his career, Lucas was an R&B and jazz guitarist, playing with Billy Paul in the early 1970s and then with Miles Davis from 1972 to 1976. It was in Davis' electric band (one that included Pete Cosey, Michael Henderson and Al Foster) that Lucas met percussionist James Mtume, who would later become his production partner. The two joined singer Roberta Flack's band in 1976, and toured with her for several years.

Following his stint as a touring jazz guitarist, Lucas shifted his focus to songwriting and producing, where he gained both fame and critical praise. The production team of Lucas and Mtume would write and produce hits for a number of artists, including Stephanie Mills, Phyllis Hyman, Lou Rawls, the Spinners and Roberta Flack.

As the 1970s came to a close, Lucas branched out and began to write and produce material on his own. In addition to his own instrumental record "Survival Themes" (1976), one of his first solo projects was Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album, including the song " Borderline". Lucas produced the majority of the album, which sold more than five million copies.

Lucas later worked with Rebbie Jackson, Randy Crawford, and The Four Tops on his own. The Four Tops' 1985 " Magic", included the single "Sexy Ways" and " Maybe Tomorrow", a duet between Levi Stubbs and Phyllis Hyman. Lucas was also a member of the short-lived group Sunfire, who released one album in 1982. Lucas produced their single "Young, Free and Single".

In 1986, Lucas founded the Jersey City

HOME


Content is Copyleft
Website design, code, and AI is Copyrighted (c) 2014-2017 by Stephen Payne


Consider donating to Wikimedia



As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases