Hey Y'all,

Does anyone know what ever became of Lone Justice? I know that Maria McKee had a solo career, but what happened to the group? Their 1986 album "Shelter" was magnificent, one of the best!! :thumb: I would play this at least twice a day. Some of my favorites tracks were: "Shelter", "I Found Love" and "Belfry". I really need to dig up my album. :)

Check this out:

The roots-rock band Lone Justice was formed in Los Angeles by guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and singer Maria McKee. The half-sister of Bryan MacLean, a member of the seminal psychedelic outfit Love, McKee's involvement in the L.A. club scene dated back to her infancy; at the age of three, she joined MacLean at a performance at the famed Whisky-a-Go-Go and was befriended by Frank Zappa and members of the Doors. As a teen, she studied musical theatre, and briefly performed in duos with MacLean and local blues singer Top Jimmy. McKee and Hedgecock first met while dabbling in the L.A. rockabilly scene, and their mutual affection for country music inspired them to found Lone Justice in 1982. Initially, the group was strictly a cover band, but the additions of veteran bassist Marvin Etzioni and Don Heffington, a former drummer in Emmylou Harris' Hot Band, prompted McKee to begin composing original material inspired by Dust Bowl-era balladry.

Gradually, elements of rock began creeping into the Lone Justice sound as well, and soon the band became a local favorite. At the urging of Linda Ronstadt, they were awarded a contract with Geffen Records; their self-titled debut appeared in 1985, followed by a tour in support of U2. Still, despite good press and media hype, Lone Justice failed to sell; slickly produced by the band's manager Jimmy Iovine, it failed to connect with either country or rock audiences. In the record's wake, Hedgecock, Etzioni and Heffington all exited the band, leaving McKee to lead Lone Justice alone. After enlisting guitarist Shayne Fontayne, bassist Greg Sutton, drummer Rudy Richman and keyboardist Bruce Brody, Lone Justice recorded its second LP, Shelter. Shortly after the record's release, McKee broke up the band for good and went on to a solo career. Heffington became a successful session drummer, while Etzioni recorded under the guise Marvin the Mandolin Man. After a decade removed from the music industry, Hedgecock returned in 1996 as half of the duo Parlor James. A posthumous Lone Justice retrospective, This World Is Not My Home, followed in early 1999. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Thanks for that update on Maria McKee and Lone Justice. :thumb:

The article didn't mention Lone Justice's / Maria McKee's association and collaboration with Steven Van Zandt "Little Steven". He helped co-write some of the songs on the "Shelter album.

Originally posted by Trixter


The article didn't mention Lone Justice's / Maria McKee's association and collaboration with Steven Van Zandt "Little Steven". He helped co-write some of the songs on the "Shelter album.

I didn't know that he co-wrote some of the songs. I remember Little Steven had a solo album out in the 80's after he had left the E Street Band. I remember liking the one song off of that album, but I can't remember the name of it? They showed the video on MTV sometimes in the mid 80's.