RODRIGUEZ BIO
Manu Rodriguez began his musical journey in 1976 after being infected by the music of the Beatles. Before long, he had formed his first school band, playing live wherever and whenever possible.
In 1982 he formed the hard rock band, Stonefield, with like-minded friends. They operated semi-professionally, releasing albums The Eyes of the Dawn and Light of Lies in 1988 and 1990 respectively. The Band continued touring until 1992.
Throughout the next decade, Rodriguez worked on a number of personal projects with friends such as Vicious Delicious and Quasimodo. He also worked as side man for live, studio and TV appearances, performing with numerous artists including Sarah Brightman, Marc Storace, Il Divo to name a few.
In 2002 he released his first solo album, Catch the Light, a journey through several genres from hard rock to pop and classical. His side man endeavor’s continued through this period until 2006 when he produced the album RODRIGUEZ & WILDERS World Away with Australia-based Irishman and singer Roy Wilders. Following its release in 2007 Rodriguez and Wilders promoted this album through two tours.
In 2010, Rodriguez moved from Switzerland to Spain to slow down and settle with his family. He indulged in live music, playing with a few bands before deciding to take a break in 2015, playing only occasionally with friends or on special projects. His focus became tailored towards writing and producing his own material.
Rodriguez’s second solo album, released in 2017, was entitled 5340 to symbolize his own 53 years on this earth, 40 of which have been dedicated to music. This venture took him all over the world, recording in many different studios with world-class musicians who had become friends throughout his 40-year musical journey.
In 2019 he released his third Album RODR7GUEZ again working with exceptional musicians such as bassist Richard Cousins, drummer Tony Braunagel and Hammond virtuoso, Lachy Doley.
After 7 was released, he restored and remixed a collection of Stonefield Songs working as producer shining a new Light on this work 30 years after its release. The original Label BSC Music released this Album with the title Mystic Stories in autumn of 2019.
In 2020 Rodriguez released Acoustical Journey. His 4th solo Album is a collection of instrumentals performed and recorded only with acoustic Guitars. Some of the 21 tracks have up to 10 acoustic guitars playing at the same time making it sound big and orchestral. Other tracks have only one guitar making them very intimate. Among the tracks are 4 Cover Versions of Songs from the Beatles, Queen and Brazilian guitarist and composer João Pernambuco.
Working on the Stonefield anniversary album encouraged Rodriguez to dive back into the hard rock genre he had left when the band separated in 1992. At that time the band had envisaged its third album telling a story that Rodríguez had written, the lyrics of each song presenting the story in chapters like a novel. Rodriguez never let go of this idea and now the time had come to fulfil this vision with his 5th solo album ATLANTIS. Rodriguez played all guitars, bass and keyboards, with world class drummer Simon Phillips on drums and Andy Wood, a great singer from the UK, on lead vocals.
Rodriguez works completely independently, allowing him to create and produce music entirely as he envisages it.
DISCOGRAPHY
STONEFIELD - The Eyes of the Dawn (1988)
STONEFIELD - The Light of Lies (1990)
STONEFIELD - Mystic Stories - 30 Years anniversary Album (2019)
RODRIGUEZ & WILDERS - World Away (2007)
ANANDA - Patience & Luck (2013)
RODRIGUEZ - Catch The Light (2002)
RODRIGUEZ - 5340 (2017)
RODRIGUEZ - 7 (2019)
RODRIGUEZ - Acoustical Journey (2020)
RODRIGUEZ - ATLANTIS (2022)
