Ernie Lancaster

Ernie Lancaster (November 30, 1953 – July 17, 2014) was an American electric blues and blues rock guitarist and songwriter. He released two solo albums. Lancaster had the ability to vary his style between strict blues, and rock, jazz, soul and pop.

Life and career Ernest Ray Lancaster was born in Georgia, United States. He later grew up in South Carolina before relocating with his family to Mount Dora, Florida. He formed his own band while at school, which eventually played at Stetson University and on television in Orlando. After dropping out of college, and getting married at age 19, he was a founding member of the Sex Change Band in the mid-1970s. They recorded an album for Warner Bros. Records in 1978, their first of six records.

Lancaster's guitar work appeared on numerous albums in the 1980s and 1990s, before he released his debut solo album. That was Ernestly, an all instrumental affair, which was released on Ichiban Records in 1991. Reverend Billy C. Wirtz, Kenny Neal, Noble Watts and Lucky Peterson. The latter musician was heavily involved in playing the Hammond organ on Lancaster's first album, with a co-starring credit noted on the album's sleeve. The AllMusic journalist, Alex Henderson, noted that "Although not stunning, Ernestly provides some gritty and unpretentious fun."

In 1993, Lancaster played guitar in James Brown's backing band, during their European tour.

Lancaster's second album, Lightnin' Alley, which comprised self composed tracks (in a similar vein to his first album) was issued in May 2008. He also appeared at the Boundary Waters Blues Festival.

Lancaster died from pancreatic cancer, at his home in Mount Dora, Florida, in July 2014, aged 60.

Discography Year Title Record label 1991 Ernestly Ichiban 2008 Lightnin' Alley Rip Bang