Gentle Giant | Artist
Gentle Giant was an English progressive rock band formed 1970 in London by brothers Phil, Derek and Ray Shulman, joined by Gary Green, Kerry Minnear and Martin Smith. All players were vocalists and multi-instrumentalists, and Minnear was classically trained. The band was known for the complexity and sophistication of its music and for the varied musical skills of its members. Despite releasing many fine albums they remained a cult band and were not commercially successful. Their first seven albums, released between 1970-1975, are all outstanding: Gentle Giant (1970), Acquiring the Taste (1971), Three Friends (1972), Octopus (1972), In a Glass House (1973), The Power and the Glory (1974) and Free Hand (1975). Today, 50 years later, these albums are enjoying a revival among prog rock aficionados. Following the dissolution of the band, Derek Shulman went on to a successful career in music business, eventually becoming president of Atco Records, then President of Roadrunner Records. He now is the owner of new music company 2Plus Music & Entertainment. Ray Shulman moved into soundtrack work for television and advertising before becoming a record producer, working with, amongst others, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Sundays and The Sugarcubes. He has written soundtracks for computer games, as well as producing DVDs for artists such as Genesis and Queen. Phil Shulman retired entirely from the music business and subsequently worked as a teacher, in retail, and ran a gift shop in Gosport, Hampshire, before his retirement. One interesting fact about the band is, when the Schulman brothers started out their first band was the short-lived psych/pop combo called Simon Dupree and the Big Sound which, as well as having a UK top ten hit with the song "Kites", also briefly featured the future Elton John as pianist, and Dudley Moore as guest.
Artist Website: blazemonger.com/GG/Gentle_Giant_Home_Page
Featured Albums: Gentle Giant
Related Artists: Vertigo Records, The Moles
Video Clips: Free Hand, On Reflection, Give it Back
