1) A Britis… Read Full Bio ↴There are 7 artists/bands under the name of Renaissance:
1) A British progressive rock band - The first incarnation of Renaissance came out of the ashes of The Yardbirds in early 1968 when drummer Jim McCarty and guitarist/vocalist Keith Relf formed an acoustic based band. They added keyboardist John Hawken, bassist Louis Cennamo and vocalist Jane Relf (Keith's sister). This band released two albums (Renaissance (1969) and Illusion (1971)) before breaking up. Some of the members reformed as Illusion.
McCarty then reformed the band with singer Binky Cullom, bassist Jon Camp, keyboardist John Tout, drummer Terence Sullivan, and guitarist/composer Michael Dunford. Cullom was promptly replaced by Annie Haslam, then McCarty himself left soon after, but this group went on to become the "classic" lineup of Renaissance. They recorded a string of successful albums starting with the LP Prologue (1972). Throughout numerous personnel changes in the 70s, Haslam, Dunford and Camp remained the core of the band.
Their particular brand of mixing classical and classically-inspired music with melodic rock is arguably one of the most successful attempts at this sort of fusion. In the 80s, the band saw their popularity wane with a turn to shorter song forms dominated by synthesizers. After breaking up in the mid-80s, various combinations have reformed for concerts and recordings.
2) A Mexican rock band ( Mexican Renaissance)
3) A Japanese band. (Japanese Rеnaissance)
4) A Serbian medieval/renaissance assemble
5) Renaissance - The band was originally formed back in November 1991 by Chriss Ons (guitar) who decided to leave the band he was in at the time, Chronic Death. His band mates Dirk Vollon (bass) and Jürgen De Wispelare (drums) joined the new project, followed by Domingo Smets (guitar). The idea was to musically break out of restraining thrash/death metal sound and to incorporate more harmonic content & epic song structure into the songwriting, something which seemed impossible if staying in Chronic Death. The band set out to rehearse and by early '92 had some song ideas together, most of which would wind up on the bands debut demo Archway later that year. By late '92 The band got offered a split 7" EP (with the band Ancient Rites) on a small Belgian label, After Dark Records, and used the demo track "Windows" for that release. Meanwhile the band had also been brought to the attention of Hans de Wyngaert of the new label Shiver Records. A deal to release the 13 minute epic track "Tired Blood / Vaudeville" (split over 2 sides) on a 7" single was signed in early '93. Both EP's sold really well, yet while keeping on searching to find new band members, it was mainly Chriss who, assisted by Dirk, would continue writing new material using a small 4 track recorder. Despite the fact that it looked like the trio Chriss/Dirk/Santiago had become a studio project until other musicians were found, Shiver records offered them a CD deal. During the summer of '93, about a year after the bands first demo; Chriss and Dirk recorded a 40-minute piece called "The Death Of Art". The initial idea was to make a concept album and to focus on just the music, and add vocals later. A friend of the band, Canadian writer and philosophy student John Hymers, was asked to write a poem entitled "The Death Of Art", which would serve as working material for vocalist Santiago. After the final vocal tracks had been recorded, Chriss finished the project by himself due to a lack of input and interest from Dirk. The album finally saw release on Shiver Records in February 1994. The first pressing of the CD sold out in a matter of months, and the album has been repressed and licensed since (including a Polish issue in cassette format). Chriss took a break from writing and recording for about a year, only to start doing so again by mid '95, with Dirk Vollon sporadically collaborating. For the time being, the project name was also changed to Rinascimento, to avoid confusion with the other Renaissance, a band that released material mainly during the 70's. Tons of stuff was recorded over the following years, but, reluctant to release another record without the ability to perform any of it live, most of this demo material was shelved or not entirely completed - Chriss didn't really feel the "need" to make the music commercially available on a label so in 1998, a double CDR set aptly titled "Rinascimento - demos 1995-1998" was distributed among just a few friends of the band. Due to other interests and activities, the whole project was laid to rest by late 1998 ... (from the official website - http://renaissance_online.tripod.com/biography.html )
6) Renaissance - an Acapella Christian Quartet - In 1985 a new birth of music took place in Los Angeles, California that would change the landscape of acappella gospel music forever.
The quartet is comprised of soprano and first tenor Sharon Harris, first and second tenor George Pendergrass, baritone Adam Thompson, and first and second tenor Ronald Walker. All four are noted alumni of Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas.
Every member of the group is also a distinguished lead singer in a league all their own. In addition to the Renaissance project, members of the group have also left an indubitable imprint on the world of Christian music. Not only has he released several solo albums, Ronald Walker has deposited a treasury of well-known songs particularly among church groups, sadly many of which still go without his credit today. Sharon Harris has lent her angelic voice to several projects including Los Angeles' own Southside Church of Christ Choir, Reflections, enjoyed a brief stint with Straight Company, and was a featured vocalist on "Acappella Gospel," produced by George Pendergrass and Keith Lancaster. Adam Thompson has provided "the bottom" on Ron Walker's projects, is a worship leader in Reseda, California, in addition to pursuing an acting career in Hollywood. Probably the most notable member of Renaissance to date is George Pendergrass who is known to people everywhere as the lead singer of the internationally known group, Acappella. His powerful voice is immediately recognizable and needs no introduction in most circles of the music industry. Featured on over 15 albums on the Acappella Music Group, George has also performed with U2, Michael W. Smith, on a Disney soundtrack and with a host of other well-known recording artists.
7) An all-female accapella group from the University of Maine, Orono.
Kings and Queens
Renaissance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Princes gallant are no more staying under cover
Jesters' jokes aren't even funny, poking fun at sorrow
Lords and Ladies hoard their riches fearful for tomorrow
Fantasies turning into truth
Fantasies turning into truth
Kingdoms crops so fresh and pure are going out of season
Maidens locked in some far tower stay inside forever
Minstrels rhyming songs of reason changing with the weather
Faces the fanfare only the fool
Faces the fanfare only the fool
The lyrics of Renaissance’s Kings and Queens are imbued with a deep sense of nostalgia and longing for a time and world that once was, but now exists only in dreams and imaginary realms. The song is a plaintive cry for lost love, lost innocence and lost glory, as the Kings and Queens of an age gone by run wild in their loneliness, unable to find and connect with each other. The gallant Princes have retreated from the world, hiding under cover, their bravery gone. The jesters, once the life of the party, have lost their spark, as their jokes are no longer funny, and they can only poke fun at sorrow.
The Lords and Ladies, meanwhile, hoard their riches, fearful for tomorrow, having lost faith in the future. The fantasy worlds that once held so much promise and possibility have turned into the stark reality of a world that is irreparably damaged and broken. The Knight in chromium plated armor is seeking a reason, but is unable to find any meaning or purpose in a world where everything is going out of season.
The song paints a bleak picture of a world on the brink of collapse, where maidens are locked away in far-off towers, their beauty hidden away, and the minstrels’ rhyming songs of reason change with the weather. The world depicted in the song is one where nothing is permanent, where everything is in flux, and where there is no hope for a better future. The fanfare and pomp of the past have given way to the harsh realities of the present, leaving only the fool to face the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Kings and Queens are running wild, lonely for each other
The rulers of society have gone astray and are longing for one another's company.
Princes gallant are no more staying under cover
The brave and chivalrous young men are no longer hiding their true selves.
Jesters' jokes aren't even funny, poking fun at sorrow
The comedians' attempts at humor fall flat as they attempt to make light of sadness.
Lords and Ladies hoard their riches fearful for tomorrow
The wealthy nobility cling tightly to their possessions, worried about what the future holds.
Fantasies turning into truth
Imagined dreams and desires are coming to fruition.
Knight in chromium plated armour looking for a reason
A knight, clad in shining armor, searches for a purpose to his existence.
Kingdoms crops so fresh and pure are going out of season
The previously abundant resources of society are disappearing.
Maidens locked in some far tower stay inside forever
Young women are trapped in confinement, never allowed to experience life outside their walls.
Minstrels rhyming songs of reason changing with the weather
Musicians attempt to convey sensible messages through their lyrics, but their meaning changes as quickly as the climate does.
Faces the fanfare only the fool
Despite all the hype and excitement, it is only the foolish who revel in it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES STANLEY MC CARTY, KEITH RELF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hans-edgargundlach7741
This
unbelievable
hypnotic
composition
sung
by
a
beautiful
sister and brother - duo
strongly
accentuated
by
the
piano - playing
was
my
regular
companion
during
my
school - time
to
listen
to
it
led
me
to
a
kind
of
a
fairytale - land
overwhelmed
by
the
lovely
tune
@chrisyent2229
Saw them at CURTIS HIXON HALL in TAMPA during the day!
What impressed me most was the bass player!
At one point he was doing 3 things at once!
Playing bass, and playing Moog Taurus bass foot pedals, plus singing!
Hard enough to have 2 trains of thought, let alone 3!
@larrysmith7155
I was fifteen in 1969 when both Renaissance and Steeleye Span formed. I loved them both and now, at the age of 69, I still find myself humming their music when I least expect it. We, as a people, tend to idolize and exalt Baroque and Classical composers such as Mozart and Beethoven. These groups that fused Classical, Baroque and English Folk music with 'rock' should be held in the same high regard.
@terrygregg1206
I was fortunate enough to see them in Chicago back in the early 70’s. Small, intimate venue allowed the listener the opportunity to really hear the shear talent of every band member.
@whatevershebrings
Thanks to Beat Club for maintaining their archives and making such incredible sights and sounds---fantastic historical documents--accessible to all. This is an impressive feat and important work.
@mnbv990
agreed, a priceless collection.
@AshleyPomeroy
It's like the opposite of Top of the Pops - they seem to have kept everything instead of junking it. And whoever booked the acts had good taste.
@MrTiagoalves
Perfect!
@MrChristopherHaas
HERE HERE
@robertosborne7542
Definetely a treasure trove....didnt recognise Keith Relf at first,not really a fan of this kind of music tbh....but lots of great stuff in the Beat Club vaults for sure.
@BatMite19
Wow! I'm a huge Renaissance fan, but I've never seen the original line-up live before. Thanks!
@g987651212
It's a different sound but still very enjoyable if you enjoy progressive rock. I have both albums.