Andre Lewis

Dec 7, 1948 - Jan 31, 2012 Andre Lewis began his musical career in the 70's. He formed a band with Lester Abrams before embarking on many collaborations with important figures of Rock & Roll such as Buddy Miles, Frank Zappa (he played keyboards for The Mothers Of Invention after George Duke left), Grant Green, Who, LaBelle, Johnny Guitar Watson, Rufus, White Chocolate (2), and Earth, Wind & Fire. He founded the group Maxayn (named after his then wife Maxayn Lewis) in 1972. When the experience ended, he created Mandré, while producing other artists for Motown Records. As a tester of Roland products, he was one of the first musicians to record with the infamous Roland TR-808. He was a pioneer in the use of synthesizers on records and worked with the now famous Roger Linn on developing the first digital drum machines. In 1988, Lewis decided to base himself in Germany with wife Maxayn Lewis. He had a daughter, Riva, and began to be involved in the European musical scene. After a divorce, he returned to United States and devoted himself to gospel music, which he plays every sunday at the local church.