Michael Ward

Biography

Michael Ward (February 21, 1967 – April 1, 2024) was an American guitarist born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He began his career as a founding member of the early 1990s alternative rock band School of Fish on Capitol Records, where his unique guitar tone underpinned the hit single '3 Strange Days.' Ward's innovative guitar approach attracted producers like Matt Wallace and Mark Endert, leading to over 50 studio album recordings across 35 years, including John Hiatt's Perfectly Good Guitar (1993) and Gavin DeGraw's Chariot.[1]

In 1995, Ward joined The Wallflowers at the invitation of Jakob Dylan, contributing to their breakthrough album Bringing Down the Horse (1996), which sold over 5 million copies and earned a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for 'One Headlight.' He later became a member of Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, playing on albums like Both Sides of the Gun (2006), Lifeline (2007), and Call It What It Is (2016), and collaborated with Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama on There Will Be a Light, winning an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist. Ward toured over 50 countries and worked as a session musician and guitar instructor in Los Angeles.[1]

Ward passed away at age 57 due to complications from diabetes, as announced by his sister and confirmed by The Wallflowers. His legacy endures through his versatile contributions to alternative rock, rock, and gospel, marked by a distinctive guitar style that bridged multiple genres.[1]

Fun Facts

• In 1995, Ward played guitar for Adam Ant on an acoustic version of 'Wonderful' during the Howard Stern radio show.[1]
• Ward contributed guitar to Sara Bareilles' album The Blessed Unrest (2013).[1]
• His work with The Wallflowers' Bringing Down the Horse earned a Grammy for 'One Headlight' and NAACP Image Award for There Will Be a Light with Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama.[1]

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Jakob Dylan - band member in The Wallflowers (Bringing Down the Horse (1996), (Breach) (2000)) [1995-2000s]
• Ben Harper - member of Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals (Both Sides of the Gun (2006), Lifeline (2007), Call It What It Is (2016)) [2000s-2010s]
• John Hiatt - session guitarist (Perfectly Good Guitar (1993), Hiatt Comes Alive at Budokan? (1994)) [1993-1994]
• Matt Wallace - producer collaboration (Perfectly Good Guitar (1993)) [1993]
• Mark Endert - producer collaboration (Gavin DeGraw's Chariot) [2000s]
• The Blind Boys of Alabama - collaborator with Ben Harper (There Will Be a Light) [2000s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Prayer of St. Francis (Journeysongs Third Edition: Volume 23)
2. In The Breaking Of The Bread (Open Our Hearts)
3. I'll Take Care Of You / Lonely Avenue (Ronnie Earl And Friends)
4. New Vietnam Blues (Ronnie Earl And Friends)
5. Pastores, A Belén (Flor y Canto Tercera Edición: Disco 8)
6. Making Love (After The Kiss)
7. Baby-Faced Assassin (Drum Nation Volume Two)
8. Hotel California (After The Kiss)
9. After The Kiss (After The Kiss)
10. Two For Two (After The Kiss)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia