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Gary Alexander Loizzo (August 16, 1945 – January 16, 2016) was an American guitarist, singer, recording engineer, and record producer. He is best known for being the lead singer with The American Breed.[1]

Gary Loizzo
Background information
Birth nameGary Alexander Loizzo
Born(1945-08-16)August 16, 1945
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 16, 2016(2016-01-16) (aged 70)
GenresRock, pop
Occupation(s)Musician, sound engineer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1961-2016
Formerly ofThe American Breed

The American Breed

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Gary Loizzo formed a band called Gary & The Knight Lites while he was still in high school in 1961.[2] The band recorded a number of songs before the name was changed to The American Breed in 1967. Loizzo was the lead singer of The American Breed, which had several hit records in 1967-1968, including the #1 million-selling single "Bend Me, Shape Me", and two other top 40 Billboard singles "Green Light" and "Step out of your Mind" and other top 100 hits.

Recording engineer

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Loizzo went on to start his own studio business, initially producing demos in his own garage, before creating a recording studio called 'Pumpkin Studios' in 1976.[3] He became a two-time Grammy-nominated recording engineer.[4] He worked with REO Speedwagon, Styx, Bad Company, Slash, Survivor, Liza Minnelli, Tenacious D, Nelson, and many others. Loizzo has been the lead recording engineer for albums that have sold over 50 million copies worldwide.

Gary was inducted into the Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 for his Recording Engineering accomplishments and his impact on the Chicago music industry. Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon gave the induction speech.

In celebration of the 2005 baseball championship of the Chicago White Sox, the American Breed issued a CD single entitled "Rock with the Sox". The single was produced by Gary Loizzo.[5]

Death

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Loizzo died of pancreatic cancer on January 16, 2016, aged 70.[6]

List of selected projects

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References

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  1. ^ Rufo, Tony (October 4, 2006). The complete book of pop music wit & wisdom. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. pp. 97–. ISBN 978-1-4143-0731-2. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  2. ^ Lyons, John F. (2021). Joy and Fear: The Beatles, Chicago and the 1960s. Permuted Press. ISBN 9781682619339.
  3. ^ "Styx Link is Vital to Pumpkin Success". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 19. May 15, 1982. p. 44.
  4. ^ "Gary Loizzo". Grammy.com.
  5. ^ Lounges, Tom (2005). "White Sox Glory Put To Song…". Midwest Beat Magazine. Retrieved June 18, 2007.
  6. ^ "Gary Loizzo obituary". Obitsforlife.com. August 16, 1945. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.