1982
- Maria McKee and Ryan Hedgecock meet at Angelo’s Drive-in in Anaheim, decide to start a band and begin singing Hardcore Country & Hillbilly duets & songs together.
1982
- Ryan recruits Don Willens on drums, from his rock-a-billy band Bedrock and finds Dave Harrington to play bass from a music ad in The Recycler. The band finds a name, Lone Justice and starts playing shows in LA’s vibrant Roots scene of the early 80’s.
1983
- After playing multiple live shows in Los Angeles, Ryan brings in songwriter/producer Marvin Etzioni to help out with songs and band arrangements for their live show.
1983
- During a chance meeting with Rank & File, Maria get’s invited to sing “Jackson” as they opened for the Blasters at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles. During this show Hedgecock & Etzioni blanket the parking lot with flyers for their upcoming show with Rank & File.
- Three sets of recordings from this period were produced by Etzioni and remained unreleased until recently.
Lone Justice “The Western Tapes, 1983” (Omnivore Recordings). Five-song EP with Maria, Ryan, Don W., and Dave. Features David Mansfield on pedal steel and fiddle. Includes first recordings of “Working Late” and “Don’t Toss Us Away.” Both songs would appear on the debut album in 1985.
Lone Justice “Live at The Palomino, 1983” (Omnivore Recordings). Harrington leaves band and Etzioni becomes the new bass player.
Lone Justice “The Vaught Tapes, 1983” (Omnivore Recordings). Willens leaves the band and is replaced by Emmylou Harris Hot Band drummer, Don Heffington.
1984
- Lone Justice continues to play in Los Angeles, building a large local following eventually headlining some of the larger venues in Los Angeles like The Palomino and The Palace. Lone Justice signs a multi-album record deal with Geffen Records. Late in 1984 Tony Gilkyson joins Lone Justice as second guitarist
1985
- Lone Justice “Lone Justice” (Geffen Records). Produced by Jimmy Iovine. Within a year of the release and after touring with U2 (“Unforgettable Fire”) and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (“Southern Accents”) Etzioni leaves band and is replaced by Gregg Sutton.
1987
- Lone Justice “Shelter” (Geffen Records). Produced by Jimmy Iovine and Steve Van Zandt. Before “Shelter” is finished Hedgecock, Heffington and Gilkyson leave band. McKee is backed by Sutton and multiple session players.
1988
- McKee disbands Lone Justice permanently and embarks on her solo career.
1999
- Lone Justice “This World is Not My Home” (Geffen Records). Produced and assembled by Marvin Etzioni and Jeff Magid.
2000
- Lone Justice “20th Century Masters” (Geffen Records). Produced and assembled by Marvin Etzioni and Jeff Magid.
Best of collection.
2021
- Etzioni finds unreleased Lone Justice tapes in his garage. Maria, Ryan & Marvin decide to finish these recordings for release at a future date. Special guests include Tammy Rogers, Benmont Tench, Duane Jarvis and David Ralicke.
2022
- Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit “Western Edge”, honoring country rock from Los Angeles (1965-1985). Includes Lone Justice, The Byrds, Linda Ronstadt, Eagles and more. Recent interview with McKee and previously unreleased video of “Working Late” (Live at the Palomino, 1983) are part of the exhibit.
2023
- Lone Justice “LJ” (label: TBA). Produced by Marvin Etzioni