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In memory of

Gerry James McGee

Lafayette, LA, USA

November 17, 1937 - October 12, 2019

Nov 17, 1937 - Oct 12, 2019

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Gerald James McGee was born on Nov. 17, 1937 in Eunice, Louisiana. His musical roots come from his father, Dennis McGee, who was a pioneer Cajun fiddler.

Gerry moved to Los Angeles in 1960 and began working on recording sessions shortly thereafter. He spent some time in the early 1960s doing studio work in New York City, but returned to Los Angeles in 1965. During this time, he worked with Mel Taylor”s (The Ventures Drummer) brother, Larry Taylor (the Mole from Canned Heat). Gerry was a very sought-after musician for recordings at that time, and has an impressive list of credits. He played guitar on many of the early Monkees” albums, did sessions with Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, and others.

Gerry”s work also includes movie and TV credits, appearing in “A Star is Born” with Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Streisand, “Heaven”s Gate”, and “Convoy”. On TV, he has appeared in a number of shows, including the miniseries “North and South”, and the long- running show “L.A. Law”. Gerry has also scored music for movies, as well as appearing in them as an actor and musician.

In 1968, Gerry joined The Ventures and toured with them in the U.S. and Japan. For the next 5 years, he also participated in writing and composing some of the most popular and acclaimed Ventures” original songs that achieved huge success in Japan, most notably “Kyoto Doll”, “Reflections in a Palace Lake” and “Strangers in Midosuji”. The Ventures were given the Japanese Grand Prix award for their contribution to Japanese music, based on the tremendous popularity with these hits (which are still found in almost every karaoke bar in Japan).
Gerry left the group in 1972 and, during the next decade or so, continued his career recording and touring with John Mayall, Kris Kristofferson and Dwight Yoakum among other artists. In 1985, he returned to The Ventures and has been touring and recording with them ever since, in addition to his acting and writing activities.

Gerry McGee, collapsed on stage, Oct. 8th and had since been in a coma. He soon passed away on Oct. 12th, 2019. He was 81. At the time of his death, he was performing on his solo tour throughout Japan. The apparent cause of death was a heart attack.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Anne Loader McGee and their three sons: Sean Christopher, Kane Robert & Ashley Allen.

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My sincere condolences for the family of Gerry McGee. I have been a fan of the Ventures for many years, and admired Ger…

My sincere condolences for the family of Gerry McGee. I have been a fan of the Ventures for many ye…

My sincere condolences for the family of Gerry McGee. I have bee…

So sorry to hear about your father. My name is Cody S. Taylor, I knew your dad very well, and first met him at the Seaw…

So sorry to hear about your father. My name is Cody S. Taylor, I knew your dad very well, and first…