-Y&T-

In the 1970’s when Y&T chose its name, it was prophetic. The band couldn’t have predicted its future better than by using the abbreviation of the Beatles’ LP Yesterday & Today. Their legions of fans are as captivated by Y&T’s melodic heavy rock and roll today as they were yesterday. In other words, their music is timeless.

And this day, unable to ignore the barrage of fan mail, Y&T are returning to the stage—with original members Dave Meniketti on searing lead guitar & vocals, powerhouse drummer Leonard Haze behind the skins, Phil Kennemore on bass, and John Nymann joining on guitar. While some may dispute that John was not Y&T’s first guitarist [Joey Alves mastered the position as the band's original rhythm guitarist], the band considers him part of the Y&T family [John Nymann has been a co-songwriter and background vocalist with the band since the 1980s]. With Leonard’s return, the band considers Y&T reunited – making a dream come true for the fans.

For years Y&T was the most requested supporting act on the hard rock road, touring with rock icons including, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC and Motley Crüe. They were sure-fired to whip the crowd into a frenzy with their high energy set. On both coasts at home, in Japan, Europe and England, they headlined to overflow houses of 15 to 30 thousand.

Y&T has sold over 4 million albums and has recorded 16 LPs and three greatest hits collections since their 1974 inception. These rock and roll pioneers survived disco fever, rode the crest of the 80’s hard rock insurgence, and remained faithful to melodic power ballads throughout the age of grunge. At any concert you can hear fans calling out their requests from albums including, “I Believe in You” from Earthshaker, “Barroom Boogie” from Black Tiger and “Mean Streak” from Mean Streak. With a reenergized demand, in 2001 the band was asked to release another collection and compile the selections for The Ultimate Y&T. But Y&T’s concerts are not filled with their golden oldies; the years have added maturity to the band’s passions without compromising the power and blistering energy Y&T has always been known for.

In 1995, tired of being musically misunderstood by the U.S. majors, the band signed a record deal with a Japanese label. They recorded Musically Incorrect—a title whose tongue is firmly planted in cheek—for the Japanese market, then released in the U.S. and European markets. “It felt right to record for the Japanese company. We have a huge following there.” As for the title, “Well,” Meniketti says with a laugh, “it relates to the music we had been raised on, which wasn’t considered in fashion at the time.”

But, the call of Y&T’s fans has never been silenced. In 1997, after Dave finished a sold out Bay Area gig, a fan asked him if the original Y&T would get together. Though at the time, he thought it would be a long shot, he said, “I’ll never say never to anything. It could be fun.” That day is here. The glory of the Y&T sound will be heard live again. And their thousands of fans worldwide will rock to the music they love.