Gentle Giant were a British progressive rock band founded in London, United… Read Full Bio ↴Gentle Giant were a British progressive rock band founded in London, United Kingdom active between 1970 and 1980. The band was known for the complexity and sophistication of its music and for the varied musical skills of its members. All of the band members, except the first two drummers, were multi-instrumentalists. Although not commercially successful, they did achieve a cult following.
The band's onetime stated aim was to "expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular," although this stance was to alter significantly with time. While never achieving the commercial heights of progressive rock contemporaries such as Jethro Tull, Genesis, Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant was considered to be one of the most experimental bands in the genre (as well as one of the most experimental rock bands of the 1970s).
Gentle Giant's music was considered complex even by progressive rock standards, drawing on a broad swathe of music including folk, soul, jazz, and classical music. Unlike many of their progressive rock contemporaries, their "classical" influences ranged beyond the Romantic and incorporated mediaeval, baroque, and modernist chamber music elements. The band also had a taste for broad themes for their lyrics, drawing inspiration not only from personal events but from philosophy and the works of both François Rabelais and R. D. Laing.
Band members:
Members of classic lineup listed in bold.
Derek Shulman - lead vocals, saxophone, recorder, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, "Shulberry" (3-string custom electric ukulele) (1970-1980)
Ray Shulman - bass, trumpet, violin, vocals, viola, drums, percussion, recorder, guitar (1970-1980)
Kerry Minnear - keyboards, lead vocals (on recordings only), cello, vibraphone, xylophone, recorder, guitar, bass, drums (1970-1980)
Gary Green - guitar, mandolin, vocals, recorder, bass, drums, xylophone (1970-1980)
John Weathers - drums, percussion, vibraphone, xylophone, vocals, guitar (1972-1980)
Phil Shulman - lead vocals, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, recorder, percussion (1970–72)
Martin Smith - drums, percussion (1970–1971)
Malcolm Mortimore - drums, percussion (1971–1972)
The band's onetime stated aim was to "expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular," although this stance was to alter significantly with time. While never achieving the commercial heights of progressive rock contemporaries such as Jethro Tull, Genesis, Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant was considered to be one of the most experimental bands in the genre (as well as one of the most experimental rock bands of the 1970s).
Gentle Giant's music was considered complex even by progressive rock standards, drawing on a broad swathe of music including folk, soul, jazz, and classical music. Unlike many of their progressive rock contemporaries, their "classical" influences ranged beyond the Romantic and incorporated mediaeval, baroque, and modernist chamber music elements. The band also had a taste for broad themes for their lyrics, drawing inspiration not only from personal events but from philosophy and the works of both François Rabelais and R. D. Laing.
Band members:
Members of classic lineup listed in bold.
Derek Shulman - lead vocals, saxophone, recorder, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, "Shulberry" (3-string custom electric ukulele) (1970-1980)
Ray Shulman - bass, trumpet, violin, vocals, viola, drums, percussion, recorder, guitar (1970-1980)
Kerry Minnear - keyboards, lead vocals (on recordings only), cello, vibraphone, xylophone, recorder, guitar, bass, drums (1970-1980)
Gary Green - guitar, mandolin, vocals, recorder, bass, drums, xylophone (1970-1980)
John Weathers - drums, percussion, vibraphone, xylophone, vocals, guitar (1972-1980)
Phil Shulman - lead vocals, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, recorder, percussion (1970–72)
Martin Smith - drums, percussion (1970–1971)
Malcolm Mortimore - drums, percussion (1971–1972)
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I Lost My Head
Gentle Giant Lyrics
All Through the Night Everyday they clock me, everyday is just the same. And the…
As Old As You're Young Look at the mirror over there, what do you see?…
Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It I betcha thought we couldn't do it. And if you…
For Nobody Running away, I'll leave you my address, don't want you…
Friends FRIENDS Where would I be without friends, to take good care…
Giant For A Day You can be President Carter, maybe Idi Amin, or say…
I Am a Camera My eyes are ready, They're focusing on you. I'm watching eve…
I'm Turning Around Where's the love that you once promised. Where's the pride,…
Inside Out As I sit, as the world goes 'round, In the room…
It's Not Imagination Looked in the papers, looked in the magazines Wanted to find…
It's Only Goodbye Strange though we made it, in those days that were…
Little Brown Bag HOLD ON; To the little brown bag. If it's all (that)…
Memories of Old Days Now the wings fell to ground as the miles they…
Mountain Time Mountain time, mountain date. Hope to be there, before…
No Stranger No stranger, No danger in your home. It's walking, It's tal…
Number One Got to get out more Get in the place Got to work…
Rock Climber Rock climber, Good-timer, Backstager, All-nighter Rock climb…
Shadows on the Street And we're sitting here Wondering where the peaceful night ha…
Sweet Georgia Brown No gal made has got a shade On sweet Georgia brown,…
Take Me Smooth-talkin', slow-walkin' tell no lie Cool is the fool wi…
Thank You Thank you, for staying around so long, I know it's…
Two Weeks In Spain Two weeks in Spain makes the year disappear easy Two weeks…
Underground Wheels go 'round, from end to end, A passage run, go…
Who Do You Think You Are? Yeah, now I'm back here in Hollywood, I pick up…
Winning Once he could smile maybe happy Fighting for his future and…
Words From the Wise Words from the wise, encourage you, carries all your taking…