Category Archives: Prog Rock
IAN GILLAN-FROM THE GILLAN BAND TO GILLAN.
Ian Gillan-From The Gillan Band To Gillan. From the late sixties, right through to the seventies, fusion was one of the most popular musical genres on both sides of the Atlantic. However, by the late seventies record buyers were tiring of the fusion of jazz and rock. So were some musicians. This included former Deep Purple …
RICK WAKEMAN-1973-1977: HIS GLORY YEARS.
Rick Wakeman-1973-1977: His Glory Years. In January 1973, Rick Wakeman released his sophomore album The Six Wives Of Henry VIII, which was a groundbreaking album, one that would forever change prog rock. The Six Wives Of Henry VIII was the album that legitimised synths in prog rock. This was a game-changer. Following the success of …
OSC MEETS BMC-FREAK OUT IN THE FJORD
OSC Meets BMC-Freak Out In The Fjord. Label: Space Rock Productions. Some seven years ago, brothers Øyvin and Vemund Engan founded the psychedelic space rock band Black Moon Circle, and since then, this talented band from Trondheim, in Norway, have released six albums. Six became seven when Black Moon Circle and Øresund Space Collective released their first collaboration …
TONY BANKS-HIS LIFE AFTER GENESIS.
Tony Banks-His Life After Genesis. All too often, Tony Banks has been referred to as “the keyboard player from Genesis.” This is doing the sixty-seven year old a huge disservice. Tony Banks is a multi-instrumentalist, whose just as comfortable playing guitar as his playing piano, Hammond organ, synths or Mellotron. Seamlessly, Tony Banks could switch …
ROGER WATERS-THE SOLO YEARS.
Roger Waters-The Solo Years. Following the departure of Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd, bassist Roger Waters became the group’s creative force. This was the case from Pink Floyd’s third album, Ummagumma, which was released in 1969, right through to 1983s The Final Cut. After the release of The Final Cut, Roger Waters left Pink Floyd. …
MANCHESTER-A CITY UNITED IN MUSIC.
Manchester-A City United In Music. Label: Ace Records. Mention Manchester, and most people think of two things music and soccer, and specifically God’s own team Manchester City who for too long, were perceived as the city’s second team. That wasn’t always the case and isn’t the case any more. Between 1966 and 1975, Manchester City …
THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF JOHN WETTON.
The Life and Music Of John Wetton. On the ’31st’ of January 2017, John Wetton passed away in Bournemouth, Dorset aged just sixty-seven. Music had lost another of its most talented and successful sons. John Wetton had enjoyed success with seven bands and as a solo artist. His career began with Mogul Thrash, before he joined Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep and …
MOTORPSYCHO-THE CRUCIBLE.
Motorpsycho-The Crucible. Label: Rune Grammofon and Stickman Records. Nowadays, not many bands stay together thirty years, but Motorpsycho who are one of Norway’s top bands have. They’re proof that longevity isn’t a thing of the past in the music business. Nor is releasing an album a year. That was common in the sixties and seventies, which for many people was …
JOHN MILES-MUSIC AND BEYOND.
John Miles-Music and Beyond. Forty years ago in 1976, John Miles released his most successful single Music. Since then, every time John Miles’ name comes up in conversation, Music is mentioned. That must be frustrating for the English singer-songwriter. That must be frustrating for John Miles, who released ten albums between 1976 and 1999. This is …
EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER SEVENTIES HEYDAY.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s Seventies Heyday.The seventies were a golden age for rock music. Especially progressive rock. One of the giants of British progressive rock were Emerson, Lake and Palmer. They were formed in 1970, and went on to enjoy commercial success and critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. That was the case right …
THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL ROTHER KOMISCHE PIONEER.
The Music Of Michael Rother Kosmische Pioneer. During the early seventies, the German music scene was thriving, and was one of the most vibrant in Europe. Some of the most influential and innovative music was being recorded and released by German bands. This included the holy trinity of Can, Kraftwerk and Neu!. Along with Amon Düül II, Ashra, …
THE SEVENTIES: THE HEYDAY OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA.
The Seventies: The Heyday of The Electric Light Orchestra. In 1970, Birmingham based songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood decided to form a new band with drummer Bev Bevan. This new group they christened the Electric Light Orchestra. At first, the Electric Light Orchestra was regarded as an offshoot of The Move, which Jeff …
CYMBELINE-SWEDEN’S LOST GROUP.
Cymbeline-Sweden’s Lost Group. Nowadays, Norway and Sweden both have vibrant and thriving music scenes, where pioneering musicians record and release some of the most ambitious, important and innovative music that is currently being released in Europe. This is nothing new, and both countries have a long and illustrious musical history stretching back to the early …
DAVID AXELROD-SONGS OF INNOCENCE VINYL
David Axelrod-Songs Of Innocence-Vinyl. Label: Now Again Records. By the time David Axelrod began work on his debut album Songs Of Innocence in 1968, the thirty-seven year arranger, composer, drummer and producer old had enjoyed a chequered career. He had started off as a boxer, before changing direction and finding work in film and …
DAVID AXELROD-SONGS OF INNOCENCE.
David Axelrod-Songs Of Innocence. Label: Now Again Records. By the time David Axelrod began work on his debut album Songs Of Innocence in 1968, the thirty-seven year arranger, composer, drummer and producer old had enjoyed a chequered career. He had started off as a boxer, before changing direction and finding work in film and …
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