Al Hodge (21 December 1950 – 6 July 2006) was an English guitarist, singer and songwriter, who had success with "Rock 'n' Roll Mercenaries", a song that was recorded by Meat Loaf with John Parr in 1986.[1] Hodge co-wrote the song with the American, Michael Dan Ehmig.
Hodge was a guitarist for Leo Sayer[5] from 1981 to 1985. He was also a guitarist for Elkie Brooks in 1999 and 2000.[6] He wrote music for numerous television programmes and appeared on many TV shows throughout Europe.[citation needed]
In the years before he died, he taught many young guitarists in Cornwall. He died after a two-year battle with cancer, at the age of 55, on 6 July 2006.[1]
In July 2007, the first Alstock Festival was held in his memory, with one of the bands made up of Al Hodge's students.[6] In June 2008, the second Alstock took place in Bodmin, Cornwall, with a much larger line-up of local bands and is now held every year on the last Saturday in July. In addition, every year an award is now made at Bodmin College in Hodge's name. The Al Hodge Young Musician Award includes a £500 grant for outstanding dedication or achievements in the school year.[7]
