Vernon Reid

Biography

Guitarist and composer Vernon Reid is a true artist, one whose art is a work forever in progress, from his formative years on the downtown New York jazz-funk-punk scene with Ronald Shannon Jackson’s Decoding Society, to his leadership of the pioneering multi-platinum rock band Living Colour, to his collaborations with creative spirits that range from musicians to choreographers and filmmakers.

Reid founded Living Colour in New York City circa 1985 and piloted the band through a remarkable career. Among the highlights: a double platinum-selling debut album Vivid; its gold-certified successor, Time’s Up; two consecutive Grammy Awards in the category “Best Hard Rock Performance”; opening for the Rolling Stones’ 1989 Steel Wheels tour; and appearing on the first Lollapalooza tour in the summer of 1991. Living Colour reunited in 2000, released an album, CollideØscope in 2003, and a new album, the critically acclaimed The Chair In The Doorway in September of 2009. Living Colour continues to tour around the world.

In addition to Living Colour, Reid has been engaged with his usual panoply of activities, including recording solo and collaborative albums, organizing varied concert events, performing as a featured guitarist, and composing for dance and film.