Rick McGirr
rock guitarist
BMHOF Class of 1992
 

Rick McGirr has been professionally involved with music since 1971, when he assumed musical directorship of an independent production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." After the show's run he worked in the house band at a Las Vegas style show club, backing up such 60's hit makers as Percy Sledge, Roy Head, The Drifters and many more. In 1914 he returned to Buffalo and became a founding member of Rodan, Buffalo's pro-rock band. Rodan lasted until 1977, when Rick got serious about musical studies and took lessons for 11/2 years from Ann Moo@ at whose urging he enrolled at SUNY Buffalo. During his four years of study, Rick performed classical and contemporary works solo and in ensembles of every shape and size. After college he hooked up with his friends from Rodan, helping form Rodan (the 2nd time around) and Gamalon. With Gamalon he backed up Stanley Clarke during a solo tour and opened for Alan Holdsworth. After three years of wild fusion solos and Gibraltar grooves, directions changed and Rick went on the road, where he met Mark Dixon. A couple years later Mark offered him the spot being vacated by Joe Rozler in The Party Squad, featuring Mark Dixon on drums, vocals and guitarist Dave Elder. Over the next six years Party Squad raked in top honors in both group and individual categories of the Music Awards and this year Rick McGirr takes his place beside his band mates in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.