David Alan Meniketti (born December 12, 1953) is an American musician, best known as singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist for hard rock/heavy metal band Y&T. He has also released three solo efforts (including “Live in Japan”), one of which is more blues-oriented. He currently tours worldwide with Y&T. With the death of guitarist Joey Alves in March 2017, Meniketti is the last surviving member of the band’s classic lineup (1974–1986), which also included bassist Phil Kennemore (d. 2011) and drummer Leonard Haze (d. 2016).
Dave Meniketti was born and raised in Oakland, California where he has been a San Francisco Bay Area vocal and guitar musician for over four decades. He was influenced by a wide variety of artists growing up, such as Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, Leslie West, James Brown, Led Zeppelin. These diverse influences appear in both his singing and his guitar playing. He has been highly ranked in Best Guitarist polls in newspapers, magazines, and television shows around the world.
As the lead singer/lead guitarist with Bay Area rockers Y&T, Meniketti has sold over four million records worldwide. With Y&T, he has recorded 19 albums, and continues to tour the world each year. His style has influenced some of the major stars in rock and over the years he’s been asked to join many top bands including Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Frampton, Whitesnake and others. Faith No More, Secret Chiefs 3, and former Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance said in an interview with Kerrang! magazine in 1991: “… of course, I owe it [his guitar playing speed] all to Y&T. Dave Meniketti is my god.”
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Rainbow In The Dark
The Blues
Remember
Lay me down
Mister Blister
Take It Like A Man
Say Goodbye
Night prowler
Dave Meniketti of Y & T during The Monsters of Rock Cruise
Y&T – I’m Coming Home