13 Facts About Andy Mackay

Andrew Mackay was born on 23 July 1946 and is an English musician, best known as a founding member of the art rock group Roxy Music.

Andy Mackay was born on 23 July 1946 in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England, and grew up in central London, attending Westminster City School where he was a chorister in the choir of St Margaret's, Westminster.

Andy Mackay struck up a friendship with Winchester art student Brian Eno.

In January 1971, Andy Mackay became a member of the art rock band Roxy Music after answering a Melody Maker advertisement placed by singer Bryan Ferry; he soon brought Eno into the group to handle "Synthesiser and Tapes".

Management, Andy Mackay taught music full-time at Holland Park School and part-time at Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Comprehensive to support himself.

Andy Mackay played oboe and saxophone in Roxy Music, becoming known for his Chuck Berry-inspired duckwalk during saxophone solos, notably on the raucous track "Editions of You".

Andy Mackay released two instrumental solo studio albums in the 1970s: In Search of Eddie Riff, an exploration of his musical roots, and Resolving Contradictions, based on his impressions of a trip to China.

Andy Mackay composed and produced the music for the hit television series Rock Follies and Rock Follies of '77, with lyrics by playwright and screenwriter Howard Schuman.

Schuman and Andy Mackay reunited in 1983 for the BBC one-off TV drama Video Stars, with Andy Mackay again providing music.

Andy Mackay appeared onscreen in cameo roles in both Schuman projects.

Andy Mackay played saxophone on several tracks of Brian Eno's Here Come the Warm Jets and Taking Tiger Mountain, both released in 1974.

From 1988 to 1991, Andy Mackay largely abandoned music to take a three-year Bachelor of Divinity course at King's College London.

Andy Mackay has written several themes for British television and radio, such as the memorable theme music for the late 1970s series Armchair Thriller and Hazell.