Back in 1973, Pat put together the how-to-do-it book entitled “Improvising Rock Guitar” (that was one of the first of its kind), and which included a vinyl record inside on which he played the licks shown in the book.  Tens of thousands of people give credit to that book including Slash of “Guns and Roses.”  Pat recorded the 2 songs on that record along with Cookin’ Mama alumni, Tommy Thompson (bass), Jesse Harms (Hammond), and Preston Thrall (drums). The book was re-released in 1981. After that project, and while playing with Kevin Smith & Jesse Harms in "Rags," Pat was hired by ex-Santana percussionist, Mingo Lewis, to play in his band. And it was via Mingo - and Pat's younger brother, Preston - that Pat first met ex-Santana drummer, Michael Shrieve, and was asked to join “Automatic Man” in 1975.  Their first album was released on Island Records in 1976.  It gained much critical acclaim and was heralded by artists such as Chaka Kahn, Gary Moore, Living Colour and many more.  The second "Automatic Man" album was released a year later in 1977. While in England recording the “Automatic Man” albums, Pat was also asked in 1976 to record on the “GO” album featuring Steve Winwood, Michael Shrieve, Stomu Yamashta and Al Di Meola.  Thrall was featured on the song “Crossing The Line”.  He played on the band's "live" album, as well.  It was released in 1977.  1977 also found Pat touring and recording with Narada Michael Walden for the “Awakening” album. After those projects, in 1978 Thrall went on to do 3 albums and tour extensively with “The Pat Travers Band.” (Click "Pat's Videos" Button to view) And it was in 1980 while playing with Travers, that Pat Thrall was voted by Guitar Player magazine as “Best New Talent” (over Mick Jones of “Foreigner” and James Honeyman Scott of “The Pretenders”). 1981: Thrall partnered up with “Deep Purple” singer and bassist Glenn Hughes on CBS records with the legendary Andy Johns producing & engineering. (Click "Pat's Videos" Button to view) After the “Hughes/Thrall” project, Pat decided to pursue the life of a studio musician and did albums for Tina Turner (he played the guitar hook on “Simply The Best”), Alphonso Johnson, Phoebe Snow, Sly and Robbie and many others. 1987: Pat returned to "live" performing and joined up with “Little Steven Van Zandt." While with Little Steven, the band opened for "U2" and did their first stadium tour of the USA.  As well as, opening for Peter Gabriel on the “SO” tour.  Bruce Springsteen joined them onstage many times. (Click "Pat's Videos" Button to view) 1988: Thrall toured with Jack Bruce - performing the music of "Cream.”  And on one night while Pat was gigging with Jack at the “The Bottom Line” in New York City, Eric Clapton came onstage to perform with them for the encore playing “Spoonful” and “Sunshine of Your Love.“  This was Clapton’s 1st time playing with Jack Bruce since “Cream” broke up 20 years earlier in 1968.  1988 - 1990: Pat began touring with "Meat Loaf."  At that time, "Meat" was just beginning to re-start his career.   The band played mostly in night clubs & on college campuses. 1990: Thrall joined the super group “Asia" replacing Steve Howe.  He recorded one live album and toured for two years.  Pat was in the video which "Asia" shot in Moscow's famed "Red Square." And also played at their "live" 1990 Moscow show.  (Click "Pat's Videos" Button to view) 1993: Pat reunited with “Meat Loaf” to record on the multi-platinum album, “Bat Out Of Hell.”  Along with the single, “I Would Do Anything for Love,” the album was at Number One for 4 weeks.  He also performed with “Meat” during the world tour to promote that album.  In 1995: Thrall recorded another album with Meat Loaf, “Welcome To The Neighborhood,” and continued to tour with him until 1997. (Click "Pat's Videos" Button to view) At that point he retired from touring and started working as a producer and an engineer. 1999 found Pat engineering on Elton John’s musical “Aida,” working with artists like George Michael and the Spice Girls. In same year he worked on “The Black Crowes” album “By Your Side” and also worked on the closing ceremony song for the “Games of the XXVII Olympiad 2000.” After that, Thrall was hired to be the producer and/or engineer on 3 projects with “Beyonce.”  On her first solo album, Pat recorded her and Jay-Z on the iconic single “Crazy In Love” (he was nominated for a Grammy).  Thrall did several songs on “Beyonce 4” and played guitar on the hit “Love On Top”. In 2003 Pat also did a project that teamed Beyonce with Bono, Dave Stewart, Dr Dre, J. Lo, Luther Vandross and Queen.  It was the concert and album for Nelson Mandela’s “46664” to raise money for antivirals in AIDS-ravaged South Africa. And after moving to Las Vegas in 2005, Thrall worked with MIchael Jackson, helping him develop music for his upcoming album. Pat was nominated for 2 more Grammy’s in 2012 for the Frank Ocean album: “Channel Orange.” In total, Pat Thrall has been credited on almost 500 albums. (Click "Pat's Discography" Button to see his full discography.) And view photos of many of Pat's accomplishments mentioned above in the "Flashback Gallery" page:   "Pat wth Other Bands."