Ken Tamplin

    Ken Tamplin

    Also credited as Ken Tamplin & Friends, Tamplin

    Costa Mesa, California11 reviews across 7 releases

    aorblues rockhard rockmelodic rock
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    Ken Tamplin is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer whose work grew out of the Southern California hard-rock scene. He joined Joshua in the mid-1980s, then formed Shout in 1987, where melodic hard rock and Christian metal met polished arena-rock arrangements. His solo debut, An Axe to Grind, presented a large rock sound built around blues-rock guitar, forceful lyrics, and a multi-octave vocal range. In the Witness Box retained traditional hard rock while moving through contrasting styles, from power ballads and blues to songs shaped by AC/DC, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Guns N' Roses. By We the People, the heavy guitar attack had receded behind keyboards, strings, horns, funk, and soul, while Tamplin's writing addressed history, politics, and personal faith.

    Shout dissolved in 1989 after financial difficulties and a dispute over the band's name, leaving Tamplin to pursue solo work. He formed Magdallan with guitarist Lanny Cordola, then departed after the project released Big Bang. During the 1990s he moved between labels, including Benson and Rugged Records, while continuing to record rather than revive Shout as his main outlet. Wake The Nations arrived in 2003 with Tamplin joined by numerous guest guitarists and singers, including Marty Friedman, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Scott Soto, Kee Marcello, and Reb Beach. He later concentrated on vocal instruction, establishing the Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy and producing online singing lessons. Tamplin remains active as a vocal coach and musician.

    7 releases reviewed