Mark Andes 　　 　　Heart, Spirit, Firefall, Canned Heat, Stevie Nicks, Dan Fogelberg, Whitesnake, Jo Jo Gunne, Chris Hillman, Kim Carnes, John Fahey, Iain Matthews, Kelly Willis, Jim Lauderdale, Eliza Gilkyson, and Joe Walsh. . … 　　 　　All have relied on the brilliant musicianship of Mark Andes to punctuate their songs and elevate their musical visions to chart-topping status. Andes has been the rock solid support on bass guitar, songwriting and vocals for all of the above. . . and more. 　　 　　Growing up in Los Angeles with father Keith Andes, an actor in many well-known movies, including leading actor with Marilyn Monroe in Clash By Night (also starring Barbara Stanwyck) and mother, Jean Cotton-Andes, a Vogue model, Mark Andes was a founding member of such cutting edge bands as Canned Heat and Spirit while still a teenager. Spirit is still considered by many in the U.S and abroad, to be the first band to successfully fuse jazz and rock with protest, folk-like lyrics and is known as a progressive rock innovator. Their four albums (Spirit, The Family That Plays Together, Clear, and The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus released from 1967-1970) all are propelled by the visionary rhythm section of Mark Andes and Ed “Cass” Cassidy and include radio staples such as “Got A Line On You” and “Nature’s Way”. 　　 　　Mark and Spirit’s lead vocalist Jay Ferguson went on to form the hard rockin’ Jo Jo Gunne (which also included Mark's brother, Matt Andes) and quickly scored a top-30 hit with the infectious “Run Run Run”. Just released on YouTube are circa 1993 Jo Jo Gunne rehearsal videos for “Run, Run, Run”, “Before You Get Your Breakfast” and “Cheap Shot”. 　　 　　Mark moved on to Boulder, Colorado and worked with expatriate Californians such as Joe Walsh, Richie Furay, Chris Hillman, and the late Dan Fogelberg. After a brief stint with Chris Hillman, Andes formed Firefall with ex-Flying Burrito Brother vocalist Rick Roberts and former Byrd's drummer Michael Clarke, adding more radio hits songs to his repertoire such as “You Are The Woman (that I’ve always dreamed of)”, “Just Remember I Love You”, “Strange Way to Tell Me You Love Me” and “Cinderella.” 　　 　　Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson recruited Mark in 1982 where he co-wrote their return-to-radio hit “How Can I Refuse” in 1983 infusing creative bass rhythm and vocals. Andes’ musical talent, as well as his good looks, made the group one of the original MTV darlings. Andes' 10-year stint with Heart from 1928 to 1992, was dotted with multi-platinum albums, No. 1 chart topping hits, award winning videos, and non-stop arena headlining tours worldwide. During this period with Heart, Mark also did studio work with Kim Carnes, Joe Walsh (“The Confessor”) and Whitesnake. 　　 　　After Heart, Andes toured with Stevie Nicks and Dan Fogelberg, adding rock bottom stability to their tours. In the late 90s, Mark relocated to Austin, Texas and has contributed to the artistry of Kelly Willis, Iain Matthews, Jon Dee Graham, Eliza Gilkyson, Jim Lauderdale, Alejandro Escovedo and most recently Ian McLagan & the Bump Band. 　　 　　Mark was the winner of prestigious 2007 Austin Music Awards “Best Bass Player” Award. The 2007 Austin Music awards featured a live performance by McLagan and the Bump Band with special guest Pete Townsend of The Who. 　　 　　Mark Andes is credited with producing, as well as recording on, the recently released Jo Carol Pierce album, “Dog of Love”. Mark also recorded a record with MPTU (with drummer Pat Mastelotto of Mr. Mister, XTC and King Crimson, Malford Milligan, lead vocalist of Austin’s Storyville, and songwriter/guitarist Phil Brown of Little Feat) which features Mark’s own updated rearrangement of Spirit’s “Got a Line on You”. 　　 　　A much awaited Firefall reunion concert occurred on April 9, 2008 in Colorado at the Boulder Theatre. The reunion CD and a DVD are planned to be available soon. 　　 　　Mark has just released his first solo CD, “Real World Magic” featuring him on all guitars. This instrumental CD is a vibey, melodic, surf-guitar style instrumental with a hint of Spirit.