Alain Whyte

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Alain Whyte


Img_capt = Alain Whyte performing live with Red Lightning, 2005
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Background = group_or_band
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Birth name = Alain Gordon Whyte
Born = Birth date and age|1967|6|3|df=yes
Camden, London, England
Genre = Rockabilly, pop, rock and roll
Occupation = Guitarist, composer, singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1991 to present
Notable_instruments = Guitar, piano
Label = EMI, HMV, Sire, RCA, Mercury, Sanctuary
Associated_acts = Morrissey
Johnny Panic
Red Lightning
Tiger Army
URL = [http://www.myspace.com/alainwhyte Myspace.com/AlainWhyte]

Alain Whyte (pronounced Alan) (born 3 July, 1967) is an English guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is most known for being Morrissey's main songwriter since 1991 and his lead guitarist from 1991-2006.

Morrissey

Alain Whyte joined Morrissey's band in 1991 after appearing in the music video for his single "Pregnant for the Last Time". While playing on the "Kill Uncle" tour in 1991, Whyte wrote nearly all of the album "Your Arsenal" which was subsequently released in 1992. Whyte played lead guitar live with Morrissey from 1991 to 2004 until he was taken ill and replaced by Jesse Tobias. As of 2008, Whyte has not been invited back to tour with the band although he is still the main songwriter.

Whyte has co-wrote and/or performed on all of Morrissey's albums but two: "Your Arsenal" (1992), "Vauxhall and I" (1994), "Southpaw Grammar" (1995), "Maladjusted" (1997), "You Are the Quarry" (2004), "Ringleader of the Tormentors" (2006), and "Years of Refusal" (2009). As of the upcoming album "Years of Refusal", Alain Whyte has a total of 80 songwriting credits with Morrissey.

Johnny Panic

Whyte played guitar in the band Johnny Panic (not to be confused with Johnny Panic) who released one single "When I Drink I Love You More" in 1998 then disbanded. Years later, Whyte took over singing duties and released an album with the band in 2006 titled "Not Bitter But Bored" which contained three songs that went on to become Morrissey songs: "Irish Blood, English Heart", "First Of The Gang To Die" and "Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice."

Red Lightning

In 2005, John DiMambro, Milo Todesco and Whyte formed Red Lightning. Their live debut came on April 30 in Los Angeles. Soon after, they recorded a full-length album with producer David Newton (Mighty Lemon Drops, Fonda, The Blood Arm and Blue Aeroplanes) entitled "L.A. Crash Landing". The band toured the Southwest in late 2005, starting with a packed show at LA's Knitting Factory on November 30th. Their live-wire shows wowed crowds from LA to Oklahoma City. Red Lightning played at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, TX in March 2006, followed by a string of California concerts. Due to unknown reasons, Red Lightning split in January 2007.

Other work

Since leaving Morrissey's live band Whyte has performed background vocals on Tiger Army's "Music from Regions Beyond", and performed two songs live as a guest guitarist for the band Great Glass Elevator at the Troubadour in 2007.

Over the years Whyte has also performed with numerous other bands including The Gazmen with Gary Day, Born Bad, The Memphis Sinners, The Memphis Flash, Crash Action, The Rugcutters, and The Motivators.

Currently, Alain has focused more on producing than performing. He has recently produced an artist named [http://www.myspace.com/deerheartmusic Deerheart] who is set to release an ep in October 2008.

ingles

Of Morrissey's 38 currently released singles, Whyte has written 15. However, Whyte did not join Morrissey's band until 1991. Since 1991, Morrissey has released 27 singles giving Whyte the credit of writing over half of Morrissey's singles since that time.

Morrissey

* "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful" (1992)
* "You're The One For Me, Fatty" (1992)
* "Tomorrow" (1992)
* "Certain People I Know" (1992)
* "Hold On To Your Friends" (1994)
* "Boxers" (1995)
* "Dagenham Dave" (1995)
* "The Boy Racer" (1995)
* "Sunny" (1995)
* "Alma Matters" (1997)
* "Roy's Keen" (1997)
* "Irish Blood, English Heart" (2004)
* "First Of The Gang To Die" (2004)
* "Let Me Kiss You" (2004)
* "I Have Forgiven Jesus" (2004)

Johnny Panic

* "When I Drink I Love You More" (1998)

Albums

Morrissey

* "Your Arsenal" (1992)
* "Vauxhall and I" (1994)
* "Southpaw Grammar" (1995)
* "Maladjusted" (1997)
* "You Are the Quarry" (2004)
* "Ringleader of the Tormentors" (2006)
* "Years of Refusal" (2009)

Johnny Panic

* "Not Bitter But Bored" (2006)

Red Lightning

* "L.A. Crash Landing" (2005)

External links

* [http://torr.typepad.com/weblog/2005/12/alain_whyte_qa.html Dec 2005 Q&A with Alain Whyte]