- published: 19 May 2015
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Alan Shacklock (born 20 June 1950) is an English musician, composer, arranger and recording producer who currently lives and works in Nashville, Tennessee. His song "The Mexican" is considered influential in the early development of b-boying and hip-hop culture.
Alan Shacklock was born in London and began playing guitar as a child, first playing with the band The Juniors with The Rolling Stones' guitarist Mick Taylor and Jethro Tull bassist John Glascock and then with Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds. He later completed classical guitar and lute studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, graduating with a master's degree in music.
In 1969 Shacklock played in a band called The Gods, and in 1971 formed the British band Babe Ruth. He worked as the band's songwriter and producer from 1971–75, and then left the band to work as a solo songwriter and record producer. He has received three nominations for Grammy awards and has produced a number of silver, gold and platinum recordings for artists including Mike Oldfield, Bonnie Tyler, Jeff Beck (of The Yardbirds), Meat Loaf, The Alarm, Roger Daltrey (of The Who), JoBoxers and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.