George Marinelli is a guitarist known for his work with Bonnie Raitt and Bruce Hornsby. He’s a versatile musician with a career spanning rock, blues, and session work
Band member: 1984 – 1991
Albums
Instruments
George Marinelli bio
Early life and career
George Marinelli was born in Staten Island, New York, where he began playing guitar at a young age. He was heavily influenced by the music of the 1960s and 70s, particularly rock and blues, which shaped his distinctive guitar style. After moving to Los Angeles, Marinelli started to carve out a career as a session musician, gaining attention for his technical skill and ability to adapt to various musical styles.
Solo and session work
After leaving Bruce Hornsby and the Range, Marinelli embarked on a prolific career as a session guitarist. His ability to fit into a wide variety of musical settings made him a favorite among producers and artists looking for a guitarist who could add depth and nuance to their recordings. Marinelli became known for his tasteful and understated playing, emphasizing melody and feel over technical flash.
Bonnie Raitt
George Marinelli’s most enduring collaboration has been with Bonnie Raitt, the iconic blues and Americana singer-songwriter. He began working with Raitt in the early 1990s and quickly became a core member of her touring and recording band. Marinelli’s guitar work has been featured on many of Raitt’s albums, including “Luck of the Draw” (1991), “Longing in Their Hearts” (1994), and “Slipstream” (2012). His slide guitar and bluesy riffs have complemented Raitt’s own playing, creating a rich and layered sound that has become a hallmark of her live performances.
Recent work
Marinelli continues to work as both a touring musician and session player. He has also released solo material, showcasing his own songwriting and musical sensibilities. His solo work often reflects his broad influences, blending rock, blues, and Americana into a sound that is uniquely his own.
His connection with Bruce Hornsby was largely rooted in their mutual appreciation for unconventional chords and atypical musical structures, a trait that continued to influence George’s style throughout his career.
George shared a memory with us from his time with the Range, during the recording of the “Mandolin Rain” music video. During filming, he sustained a nose injury from a dog bite on set, recalling how it affected his appearance in the final cut. Despite this, he cherishes his time with the band and remains good friends with the members.
After his stint with the Range, George Marinelli moved to Nashville and became deeply involved in the city’s music scene, collaborating with numerous artists in both live performances and studio recordings. Most prominently, he became a long-time touring member of Bonnie Raitt’s band, contributing to her signature blues-rock sound. When not on tour with Raitt, George works in his Nashville studio, often recording and producing for other musicians, including the band Blues Side Up.
He has also released solo albums, including “Wild Onions,” which was inspired by his Nashville surroundings. The title of the album was born from the experience of discovering wild onions in his yard while mowing the lawn.
George Marinelli’s career has been defined by his collaborative nature and his ability to adapt to various musical styles. Beyond Bruce Hornsby and Bonnie Raitt, he has worked with artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Vince Gill, and Patty Griffin, demonstrating his versatility across genres like rock, country, and blues.
See our 2001 interview with George Marinelli and 2014 interview to expand on the above.
External links
Website: www.georgemarinelli.com