Biography
 
  photo by Gil Vaknin
   
Charles Lyonhart grabs the audience's attention as he paints vivid images of a life in despair struggling to understand the complexities of a dark and seductive world. 

 ".... a genuine voice and one who should be heard"    - The Kingston Freeman

 - The Kingston Freeman

 
Charles was born in the Bronx where Poe Cottage became a shrine and its late author an inspiration. The 60's brought him in touch with the truths of Lenny Bruce, and most tellingly, the words and music of both the Beat Generation and the Folk Rock movement. In the course of his experiments with music, writing and counterculture living, Lyonhart met icons such as William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan, and Tim Hardin. Making his way through the 70's and 80's sometimes on stage, other times as a writer and music critic for publications like Rolling Stone Magazine, he eventually turned to his true talents in life - a visionary songwriter and seasoned guitarist.
 

In the 90's Charles became a regular at The Tinker Street Cafe in Woodstock, The Bitter End in New York City and various local music festivals. Gaining a loyal regional fan base, the name Lyonhart has quickly become synonymous with emotionally charged ballads delivered with brooding intensity backed with exceptional melodic arrangements. Whether he's playing with his band or solo acoustic, his live performances effortlessly showcase the solid craftsmanship as a truly accomplished artist with poetic blended narratives accompanied by rich acoustic textures and distinguishing vocals.
 

"Lyonhart sings of life and relationships, injustice and irony, desperation and triumph, striving and betrayal, folly and achievement...having a stash of unreleased Lyonhart tunes is like having a private treasure."   

- Irv Yarg, The Woodstock Times
 

After appearing at the Woodstock 25th Anniversary concert in 1994, he was soon signed to Continuum Records and two of his compositions were chosen for their 1995 compilation "New Music from Woodstock, New York." with over 900,000 copies sold worldwide. In June 1997 his self-released debut album "Leap of Faith" was well received, selling over 7,500 copies through his website and concerts. He garnered critical praise both in the press and by fellow musicians. John Herald titled Charles "one of the best singing songwriters" he's come across in ten years.   - Myra Friedman, Author "Buried Alive", Authorized Janis Joplin Biography

 

"Charles Lyonhart is a truly inspiring artist. His melodies both haunt and energize." 

 - Myra Friedman, Author "Buried Alive", Authorized Janis Joplin Biography
 
Recorded mostly live with guitarist Steve Raleigh and drummer Dennis Cotton, his next album "Exception to the Rule" soon followed. Singer/songwriter Richard Shindell recorded Lyonhart's classic "Shades of Black, Shades of Blue", a tribute to the legendary producer Thomas Jefferson Kaye. Signature Sounds released Shindell’s version in early 2000 as part of a special 4-song EP entitled "Spring".
 

Charles’ last CD, “Down To The Hard Line” was released in 2001 before he became critically ill taking him out of the music circuit for the next five years. “Down To The Hard Line” was recorded with his long time friends and collaborators, Larry Campbell, Lincoln Schleifer and Denny McDermott. From the quietly powerful words of "Days Gone By" to the screaming rock and roll rhythms of his insomnia ballad "Any Price For Sleep", this careful artistic blending of various creative layers has yielded the very best of all those involved. Even though Charles was out of the loop after the release of “Down To The Hard Line” this CD was called “his best” by many critics. Charles’ illnesses lead to his liver transplant in 2005. Charles returned to performing in 2006 and has been writing songs for his next CD titled “I Came Back”, with the title song once again penned by his friend Lincoln. “I Came Back” will feature no less than twelve new Lyonhart tunes.
 

It’s been two and a half years now since his liver transplant and Charles Lyonhart is alive and well, and making his home in Phoenicia, NY. He is back in the recording studio with Julie Last who has worked with such renowned artists as Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, John Lennon and The Talking Heads as well as adding her talents to many local projects.Charles is recording his new CD in Bearsville, NY with Chris Zaloom, George Quinn and Dennis Cotton all adding their years of seasoned experience to this long awaited project.
 
 
 
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