English singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and entrepreneur (born 13 February 1950 in Chobham, Surrey, England, UK). Father of photographer and film director Anna Gabriel (born 26 July 1974), and singer Melanie Gabriel (born 23 August 1976). He was the original lead singer of prog-rockers Genesis since 1967 but left in 1975 to pursue solo projects…
Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist Peter Hammill is a veteran of the rock genre, recording in excess of 40 albums both alone and as a band leader for more than 30 years. A frequent collaborator and friend of Peter Gabriel, Hammill achieved high regard in his native Great Britain and across Europe. Hammill and Gabriel played an important role in the development of progressive rock, leading the art-prog-rock bands Van der Graaf Generator and Genesis respectively and singing in a theatrical, wordy, typically English style…
Genesis started life as a progressive rock band, in the manner of Yes and King Crimson, before a series of membership changes brought about a transformation in their sound, into one of the most successful pop/rock bands of the 1980s and 1990s. In addition, the group has provided a launching pad for the superstardom of members Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, and star solo careers for members Tony Banks, Michael Rutherford, and Steve Hackett…
Genesis started life as a progressive rock band, in the manner of Yes and King Crimson, before a series of membership changes brought about a transformation in their sound, into one of the most successful pop/rock bands of the 1980s and 1990s. In addition, the group has provided a launching pad for the superstardom of members Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, and star solo careers for members Tony Banks, Michael Rutherford, and Steve Hackett…
Beginning with the 1975 landmark Electronic Realizations for Rock Orchestra, Synergy explored the possibilities inherent in synthesizer/sequencer technology and digital-studio production techniques, resulting in some of the most inventive electronic music of the '70s. It was mostly the work of synthesizer expert Larry Fast, who also brought electronics to the mainstream by coordinating synthesized passages for dozens of pop acts during the '70s and '80s, including Yes, Peter Gabriel, Meatloaf, John Denver, Barbra Streisand, Hall & Oates, Kate Bush, Foreigner, and Randy Newman.
Recording as Synergy, Fast debuted in 1975 with Electronic Realizations for Rock Orchestra. The album became a surprise favorite with progressive radio, and was hailed by synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog as the most important recording to date using his Moog synthesizer…
Named after a fictional god from J.R. Tolkein's mythical epic The Silmarillion, Iluvatar has become an international progressive rock sensation. Formed in Baltimore in 1992 by vocalist Glenn McLaughlin, drummer Gary Chambers, bassist Dean Morekas, guitarist Dennis Mullin, and keyboardist Jim Rezek, the band follows in the footsteps of '70s prog heroes such as Genesis, Marillion, Styx, and Pink Floyd. The quintet pushed the boundaries of standard rock forms with technical wizardry and the incorporation of jazz and classical elements and is still known best for mixed-meter songwriting and heartfelt lyrical delivery. Their first release was issued in 1993 on Kinesis Records, and they soon became the label's best-selling release…
The technically proficient guitar playing of John Petrucci elevated Dream Theater to the upper echelons of contemporary heavy metal. While its lineup has continuously evolved, the Long Island-based quintet has consistently delivered sharp-edged music…
Spock's Beard began in 1992 when brothers Neal (lead vocals) and Al Morse (guitar) teamed up with drummer Nick D'Virgilio. After self-financing their first album, bassist Dave Meros joined, and The Light was recorded in 1994. Consisting of four lengthy songs, this debut album was well received by progressive rock fans, but received little public acclaim…