Al Connelly BioAl Connelly is a Singer/Songwriter and Guitarist from the Canadian group Glass Tiger. Alan is a 5-time Juno Award/ 2-time Canadian Classic Award winner and Grammy nominee. Al Connelly was born Alan J Connelly in Montreal, Canada and moved to the Toronto area at age 14. Al, at the age of 18, was asked to play guitar with (future) GT band mates singer Alan Frew and bassist Wayne Parker in their late seventies rock band Onyx. The band, after 2 years of Canadian road life, came to a halt and Al formed a band called ‘The Lowlifes’ which recorded some of Al’s songs. It wasn’t long before a new outfit, Al was then asked to join 1983, Tokyo, had emerged in the Toronto music scene as Alan Frew and Wayne Parker joined forces with keyboardist Sam Reid and drummer Michael Hanson to eventually become Glass Tiger.. Their Toronto area popularity and songwriting capabilities eventually led them to a recording contract in 1985 with EMI/Capitol records worldwide. They were released on the world famous Blue Note Records (Bruce Lundvall) under EMI Group in America.While on a writing trip to Vancouver, Canada, Al Connelly joined band mates Sam Reid & Alan Frew and contributed to the songs “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and “Someday” with Jim Vallance (songwriter) and producer. The songs included on their debut multi-platinum Album, The Thin Red Line. helped to break the band internationally, propelled to the top of the American Billboard charts in 1986.Glass Tiger received 3 Canadian Juno Awards that year:Album of the Year, The Thin Red Line, Single of the Year, Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone), and Most Promising Group of the Year. To add the that producer, Jim Vallance, received a Juno for the prestigious Composer of the Year.On top of their rising Canadian and European musical success, Glass Tiger also managed to be nominated for Best New Artist 1987, at the American Grammy Awards, alongside Simply Red, and ultimately Bruce Hornsby and the Range receiving the Award.Tours in America with Journey ”’Raised on Radio Tour”’ (with Steve Perry on vocals) and Tina Turner, ”’Break Every Rule Tour”’ throughout Europe quickly secured an internationally positive response to the band’s music.Mr Connelly has received SOCAN Classic Songwriting Awards for his contribution to some of the bands better known songs like ‘Someday’ (achieved #7 on American Billboard Singles Chart) and ‘My Town’ which featured Rod Stewart. One of the many recent tours across Canada was with ‘Roxette’ , (2012) whom they had toured Europe with back in 1992. This brought out a few new songs on the then released Greatest Hits Album ‘Then Now Next’ with one new song written by Al Connelly entitled ‘Stand Up’.In the spring of 2019 Glass Tiger joined Corey Heart for a Nationwide Canadian tour with a new release, ‘33’ Glass Tiger’s self- produced album that featured new songs including (‘This Is Your Life’) commemorating 33 years in the music business.The ‘Grand ole Dame’ Massey Hall, Toronto, has been home for many Glass Tiger shows where they had the honour of performing their own shows – ‘An Evening With Glass Tiger’ June 2018 Massey Hall featuring new rendiitions from ‘Glass Tiger 31’ and featuring special guests artists Susan Aglukark & David Maracle.A few years later Glass Tiger (Dec 2022) returned to the new Massey hall for a special Christmas show with Lorraine Segato and Parachute Club.In September of 2023 the band was honored at Massey Hall with a special night where Glass Tiger was awarded a special – Rock ‘Walk of Fame’ gala ceremony along with other Classic Rockers – (Trooper, Chilliwack, Max Webster, Parachute Club, April Wine, Lover Boy, Lee Aaron, Rough Trade and Platinum Blonde )TodayAl Connelly is a Singer/Songwriter and Guitarist from the Canadian group Glass Tiger. Alan is a 5-time Juno Award/ 2-time Canadian Classic Award winner and Grammy nominee. Worth noting ,the band’s music is still strong and heard on the international airwaves. In 2009 Al joined his bandmates, with the honoor of playing some live shows to the Canadian Armed Forces stationed in Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan.Mr Connelly has received SOCAN Classic Songwriting Awards for his contribution to some of the bands better known songs like ‘Someday’ ( achieved #7 on American Billboard Singles Chart) and ‘My Town’ which featured Rod Stewart.In addition to first solo released “In Another Life’, Al Connelly has been putting the finishing touches on this Reggae/Roots Alt rock Album produced over the last 2 year by Al’s Prose & Consa Music; in affiliation with Attitude Sound Production Studios.Alan’s found his individual voice, writing style help to produce this recent collection of songs for his upcoming CD (2017) that will includes songs ‘Doo Doo The Light’, ‘Belafonte Plays’ and other compositions of an Island, Roots,Rock style. Song Preview https://www.reverbnation.com/alconnelly/playlist/-4A 9 song album, renders Roots Reggae, Ska and Rock. His writing has kept a unique and intriguing distinction along with his singing voice. It is all self-written and produced.From Arts & Culture to Charity work Al’s songs have been performed and time contributed. He submitted and performed the song ‘I Am That Strong’ to live audiences during the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada. The Arts & Culture York Region picked it up and had Al perform it for their 2015 Gala theme song.Connelly has acquired Studio Engineering Tech Diplomas both through Seneca College electrical Engineering and Humber College in Toronto, with years of Professional recording, engineering and producing experience.
