Lee Mallory,
January 10, 1945 - March 21, 2005

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lee Mallory passed away March 21 in San Francisco after a long struggle with liver cancer.

Lee Mallory, a songwriter, recording artist, founding member of The Millennium and other bands, contributed to originating the California Sound of the 1960s. Lee charmed countless visitors to San Francisco, performing outdoors at the Cannery for years, often dressed in many layers and fingerless gloves. The San Francisco of Board of Supervisors proclaimed January 10th 2005 Lee Mallory Day.

Lee was lead guitarist and a member of the "Tribe" for the first road company of "Hair," the first rock musical. He had previously been a session guitar player on some of the Association's biggest hits and co-wrote two songs they recorded--"Better Times" and "Just About the Same"--both of which appear on "Just the Right Sound: the Association Anthology."

Lee's 1966 single, "That's The Way It's Gonna Be" by Phil Ochs and Bob Gibson reached #1 in Amsterdam and #2 in Seattle. It was recently re-released on the Rhino Records compilation, "Hallucinations." "Take My Hand," his second single is included in Rhino's compilation, "Come To The Sunshine."

In 2000, Lee toured Japan with his long-time friend and co-writer Joey Stec of Sonic Past Music. There they were awarded Master Musician sashes, an honor befitting his true status.

On Friday, March 18th, 2005, Lee completed mixes for his final album, produced by Alex James Muscat at Last Stop Records. He was thrilled with this, his first studio album in many years, the first in which he had complete creative control after 40 years of recording and playing on approximately 35 albums.

Tribute to our fallen comrade.

William G. Lee Mallory will be missed by the many fans, family, friends and musicians touched by his music, his utopian vision, his kindness, generosity and friendship. As one said, "Lee Mallory was the Real Deal." Lee passed with grace and dignity, with his "lady" and fellow musician, Nina Jo Smith, by his side. He is survived by brother Barry Hunter, cousin Dennis Mallory, stepmother Helen Real Ramsey and fiancée Nina Jo Smith. A memorial open mic will be held April 18th at Hotel Utah on 4th and Bryant in San Francisco, 8pm. Donations may be made in memory of Lee Mallory to the Sierra Club, www.sierraclub.org, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org, or Hepatitis C Awareness Inc., www.hepcaware.org.  Please email ninajosmith@foolcirclemusic.com or go to www.laststoprecords.com for more information.