Tony joined the the Never-Ending Tour (and, yes, he calls it that) with a line-up that included G. E. Smith on guitar and Chris Parker on drums. Today, when on breaks from the Dylan tour, Tony plays periodically at the P&G Bar on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with Jonny Rosch and Friends. So does, Chris Parker, whose is also a regular at the bar even when not playing.
Born in Minnesota, just as Dylan, Garnier has lived in New Orleans and Brooklyn. Before joining Dylan's band, he was a member of Asleep At The Wheel and the Lounge Lizards, and has performed with Buster Poindexter (David Johansen) and Robert Gordon. Tony also recorded with Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Paul Simon and Loudon Wainwright III.
On June 1, 1989, Garnier rehearsed with Smith and Parker at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin. Dylan joined them the following day. On the 3rd, rehearsals continued at the Factory in Ringend, Ireland. Garnier played bass for that evening's show at RDS Simmons Court in Dublin. Aaronson returned to the stage for the second night in Dublin, as well as shows in Scotland and England. The June 8 concert at Wembley Arena was Aaronson's last gig before leaving for the U.S. Garnier's first proper concert as a member of the band was on June 10, at Statenhal, Den Haag, the Netherlands.
Tony likes good burgers and is a connoisseur of great cigars—a passion he takes on the road with Dylan as he travels the world. Unlike his stern demeanor on stage, which he says he does because Dylan likes it, Tony is a smiling and friendly guy in person.
Once in a show in Allston, Massachusetts, after telling a joke about Tony, Dylan sang, "...said the joker to the thief...that's Tony!"
Our hats off to the great Tony Garnier, bass player supreme.
Chris Parker, former Dylan drummer, on stage at the P&G Bar