John McKay (The Riot Squad)
John McKay was the guitarist for The Riot Squad, the short-lived but pivotal London band that featured David Bowie during 1967.
The Riot Squad occupies a unique place in Bowie’s history: it represents the moment when he briefly returned to a hard, guitar-driven band format just before committing fully to a solo career.
- Name: John McKay
- Band: The Riot Squad
- Role: Guitar
- With Bowie: 1967
- Era: Post-mod / pre-solo transition
- Context: Bowie’s final pre-solo band
Where John McKay fits in Bowie’s timeline
John McKay’s involvement with David Bowie comes at a decisive crossroads. By 1967, Bowie had already passed through the R&B and mod circuits and was struggling to establish a lasting musical identity.
The Riot Squad emerged after the collapse of The Buzz and represented one last attempt to operate within a conventional band structure.
The Riot Squad sound
The Riot Squad were heavier and more aggressive than Bowie’s previous groups. Their sound leaned toward hard rock and proto-psychedelia, reflecting the rapidly changing London music scene of the late 1960s.
John McKay’s guitar work anchored this tougher approach, contrasting sharply with the mod precision of The Lower Third and the R&B polish of The Manish Boys.
Bowie’s role in the band
In The Riot Squad, Bowie was no longer simply adapting to a scene—he was actively reassessing his future. Although he performed with the group, he was already moving toward a more individual artistic vision.
This tension is what makes the band historically fascinating: it is a bridge between Bowie the band member and Bowie the solo artist.
Why the band dissolved
The Riot Squad failed to secure a recording contract or major breakthrough. As musical trends accelerated toward psychedelia and experimentation, Bowie realised that another reinvention was necessary.
Shortly after leaving the band, Bowie signed with Deram Records and began work on what would become his debut solo album.
Historical importance
John McKay’s role may seem fleeting, but it is significant. The Riot Squad marks the end of Bowie’s apprenticeship phase and the last time he tried to succeed strictly as part of a rock band.
Everything that followed—Space Oddity, conceptual songwriting, and persona-driven artistry—was built on the lessons learned during this transitional moment.