Lyle Workman Biography

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LYLE WORKMAN (Music) was born and raised in San Jose, California. Largely self-taught, Workman began playing guitar as a child, copying Beatles songs and popular music from the radio. By emulating such greats as Hendrix, Alvin Lee and Pete Townsend, he further developed his proficiency and later delved into progressive rock and fusion jazz; while at college he studied music theory and composition. Committed to a career in music, he began playing in a variety of local bands.

Workman's break into professional music came when he joined Bourgeois Tagg, who recorded two records for Island Records in '86 and '87, including Yo-Yo, produced by Todd Rundgren. Reflecting Lyle's earliest influences were the Beatlesesque pop strains of “I Don't Mind at All,” Bourgeois Tagg's hit single co-written by Workman and band co-founder Brent Bourgeois. This propelled the group into the international spotlight with concerts throughout North America and Europe. Television appearances and music videos followed on such programs as The Tonight Show, American Bandstand, Top of the Pops, MTV and Much Music.

After Bourgeois Tagg disbanded in 1989, Workman (along with fellow Tagg members) recorded and toured as part of Todd Rundgren's band. This lineup yielded the recording of “Nearly Human” and “Second Wind.” During this period Workman began to write instrumental music and assumed the title of musician, composer, arranger, engineer and producer for his premiere solo project, Purple Passages, released by Immune Records, which was dubbed “possibly the best guitar album of the year” by Guitar Shop Magazine. Back to pursuing new musical adventures in the pop field, Workman hooked up with the group Jellyfish, who brought his guitar work onboard for the recording of Spilt Milk, released in '93. Shortly afterwards, Workman hooked up with ex-Pixies frontman Frank Black for the recording of Teenager of the Year and, as a member of Frank Black and the Catholics, toured and recorded through the summer of '98.

In the midst of recording with Frank Black and the Catholics, jazz great Tony Williams brought Workman in the studio and recorded one of Workman's pieces for his record Wilderness. After temporarily leaving the road to concentrate on composing and working at home in Los Angeles, Workman finished his second instrumental project Tabula Rasa and in late '99, his love for live performing brought him back onstage, playing guitar with pop artist Beck.

After playing guitar on numerous recording sessions for television commercials, Workman began composing music for TV spots for Nike, Reebok, Miller, Sears, Hanes, FX and A&E, to name a few. He co-composed the score of Made-written by, directed by and starring Jon Favreau-and composed the music for Dinner for Five, a show created by Favreau for the Independent Film Channel. His work has been recognized by Shoot magazine's Top 10 Spot Tracks.