Gong | Artist
Gong was a Psych rock band formed 1967 in Paris by Australian musician Daevid Allen and English vocalist Gilli Smyth. Allen previously founded Soft Machine in the UK but was forced to re-settle in France due to Visa restrictions. Allen and Smyth formed a collective of musicians into the Gong family, including Steve Hillage, Didier Malherbe, Pip Pyle, Miquette Giraudy and Pierre Moerlen. Gong's first two albums were basically Allen and Smyth with support. The third album the excellent Camembert Electrique was the first of a string of classic Gong albums including the masterpiece Flying Teapot series: Flying Teapot, Angel's Egg and You, which featured the addition of Steve Hillage on guitar. Allen left Gong between 1976-1990 during this time they released albums under the name Pierre Moerlen's Gong. Meanwhile, Smyth formed Mother Gong while Allen initiated a series of spin-off groups, including Planet Gong, New York Gong and Gongmaison, before returning to lead Gong once again in 1990 until his death in 2015. With Allen's encouragement, the band decided to continue, releasing the album Rejoice! I'm Dead! in September 2016. Standout albums include Magick Brother, Camembert electrique, Flying Teapot, Agel's Egg, You, The Peel Sessions and Live Floating Anarchy 1977. Also Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy is an excellent compilation of the Flying Teapot series.
Artist Website: planetgong.co.uk
Featured Albums: Gong
Related Artists: Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth, Steve Hillage, Mother Gong, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, Tim Blake, Here and Now
