Andy Mackenzie, Creative Genius, Dies at 42
Andrew Allan Mackenzie, Jr. died peacefully last Thursday at his home in Peabody, Massachusetts. He was 42 years old.
Andy was born in August 1979 to Marsha and Andrew Mackenzie, Sr., and grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire. He is survived by his parents and three sisters, Carolyn, Kelly, and Katherine.
Andy invoked social energy through his music, art, style, and infinite wit. He was a defining feature of the music scene around Greater Boston and New Hampshire who left a lasting impression on anyone who saw him play or had the opportunity to make music with him. A masterful bassist, songwriter, and vocalist, Andy could recreate the most complex of basslines with ease and created his own songs out of thin air. His complex graphic art lives on in the tattooed skin of many.
Andy showed his artistic talent early, creating comic strips in elementary school that featured faithful reproductions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Michelangelo was his favorite. He was an avid skateboarder who pushed the boundaries of the sport by sometimes riding nude.
In high school, Andy was a defining member of the nascent local Punk Rock scene, where his massive mohawk and studded red leather jacket made him a leader among creative teenage misfits. During this time, Andy started and played in several bands, including the Double O Zeros, Yellow Number Five, and Third Party. He connected the Londonderry punks with the Manchester punks and was fundamental in turning the Cafe Savoie from a would-be family restaurant into a noisy teenage music club in a strip mall.
In 1998, he graduated from Londonderry High School. He grew dreadlocks and then removed them before going to Monserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts in 2001, where he honed his art and further blossomed as a musician, making further inroads to the Boston music scene.
Andy suffered from back issues and, following a snowboarding injury, he lost the use of his legs at age 26.
Although he required a wheelchair for mobility, Andy’s spirit and musical aptitude only expanded. Friends note that it was an honor to push him around, although Andy insisted on using his own power.
In his latest musical projects, including Yankee Blue Jeans and Old Hat, Andy merged the intricacies of Country music with the spirit of punk. A defining performance with acoustic instruments and upright bass featured Andy on vocals and guitar, center stage in his wheelchair. He played in a variety of venues including basements, bars, and festivals all over the Boston area and New Hampshire.
Although he was short in stature, Andy was a giant in spirit and personality.
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held on Saturday, January 15th from 2 pm - 6 pm at Elks Lodge 63 Bay State Road Wakefield, MA.