The superbly deft multi-instrumentalist Tony MacAlpine initially trained on piano at the Springfield Conservatory Of Music in Massachusetts before finding his raison d'etre as a guitar hero. His style is to blend classical structures, jazz freeform experimentation with Hard Rock and as such his solo albums have received much merit from guitar aficionados. MacAlpine's first real band was the covers group LODESTAR before he decided to send a batch of solo demos to Mike Varney for inclusion in the Shrapnel boss' regular column in 'Guitar Player' magazine. Enthused by Tony's playing, Varney flew the guitarist to California and introduced him to Billy Sheehan and Steve Smith and told he was about to cut an album with the pair of them.

Sure enough, MacAlpine's debut album 'Edge Of Insanity' boasted the impressive rhythm section of former TALAS, DAVID LEE ROTH and UFO bassist BILLY SHEEHAN and erstwhile JOURNEY drummer Steve Smith. The guitar magazines lapped up 'Edge Of Insanity' prompting MacAlpine to join the band DRIVER with ex-QUIET RIOT bassist Rudy Sarzo, noted frontman ROB ROCK and legendary drummer Tommy Aldridge. Under the new moniker of M.A.R.S., the quartet released one, posthumous album 'Project Driver' in 1987 to indifferent reviews and by which time MacAlpine had resumed solo work. The same year MacAlpine produced and played keyboards on the debut solo album by ex-JAGPANZER guitarist JOEY TAFFOLA.

The guitarist signed to Squawk Records, a new label set up by the management team of Peter Mensch and Cliff Burnstein. 'Maximum Security' was another totally instrumental effort and caught MacAlpine working together with NIGHT RANGER guitarist Jeff Watson and DOKKEN's GEORGE LYNCH. Drums came courtesy of erstwhile WILD DOGS and CACOPHONY man Deen Castronovo and Atmar Anur.

For 1990's 'Eyes Of The World' MacAlpine added singer Alan Schorn, keyboard player Mark Robertson and drummers Billy Carmassi, previously with ALDO NOVA and JET RED, and Mike Jacques. Bass came from JOURNEY man Randy Jackson.

1994's 'Premonition' was recorded with Castronovo once again on drums, who between working with MacAlpine previously had now made more of a name for himself with chart act BAD ENGLISH and NEAL SCHON's HARDLINE, together with ex YNGWIE MALMSTEEN keyboard player Jens Johansson. 'Evolution', released in 1995, features a rhythm section of former THE FIRM and BLUE MURDER bassist TONY FRANKLIN and ARTENSION drummer MIKE TERRANA.

MacAlpine united with DREAM THEATER keyboard player DEREK SHERINAN for the PLANET X project in 2000 issuing the 'Universe' album. The guitarist also laid down all the guitars for YNGWIE MALMSTEEN vocalist MARK BOALS solo album 'Ring Of Fire'. MacAlpine would also forge the Fusion project CAB in alliance with bassist Bunny Brunel and drummer Dennis Chambers releasing two albums of high intensity Jazz Rock workouts.

A further TONY MACALPINE solo effort 'Violent Machine' arrived in 2002, the guitarist utilising the talents of Terrana, now a member of German Metal band RAGE, on drums once again alongside bassist Kevin Chown. Macalpine also served as session guest on MARK BOALS 'Edge Of The World' opus. June of 2003 found Macalpine on the road in North America with keyboard player DEREK SHERINAN's band. Later that same year, he would hook up with the renowned guitar virtuoso STEVE VAI as part of his touring band for the 'G3' dates. MacAlpine guested on drummer MIKE TERRANA's 2004 solo album entitled 'Man Of The World'.