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VAT are pleased to announce that they are touring the most complete and definitive line up of GONG in Summer 2009. Daevid Allen (Vocals / Guitar) - Original MemberGilli Smyth (Vocals / Space Whisper) - Original Member Steve Hillage (Guitar / Vocals) - Original Member Miquette Giraudy (Synthesiser / Vocals) - Original Member Mike Howlett (Bass Guitar) - Original Member Chris Taylor (Drums / Vocals) Theo Travis (Sax / Flute) STRENGTHS OF THIS LINEUP2009 is the 40th anniversary of the band Gong, which was conceived by founding members Daevid Allen and Gilli Smith in France in the chaotic times of post-May 68 creative turmoil. |
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Gong quickly rose to become one of France's biggest bands and as a social phenomenon being France's equivalent of the Grateful Dead.
Gong made their UK debut in 1971 at the legendary Glastonbury Festival of that year.
After releasing their second album "Camembert Electrique" on the BYG label in France in 1972 Gong started a relationship with the new startup label, Virgin Records. This was when Steve Hillage and Mike Howlett joined the band.
The "classic" period of 1973-75 was a roller-coaster ride of gigs festivals and album releases with the first Virgin Records album releases "Flying Teapot", "Angel's Egg" and "You".
One master-stroke was Richard Branson's idea to re-release "Camembert Electrique" at the budget price of 50p. This became a top ten smash album and sold over 70,000 copies in the UK, bringing the band to an ever wider audience. In Autumn 1974 the newly released "You" album was also UK top ten in its first week of release. These three albums between them have sold overall well in excess of 1 million units. Since being re mastered and reissued by EMI Virgin in 2003 they continue to sell.
The full surviving line up didn't play again until November 2006 at a special sold-out Gong event in Amsterdam, except for a single special benefit reunion show in Paris in 1977 before 6,000 people.
The 2006 show was followed up in 2008 by 2 sold-out shows in London at the QEH (as part of Massive Attack's Meltdown) and the Forum, gaining 5 star reviews in the national press.
STEVE HILLAGE BAND
Steve Hillage re-launched his solo career in 1976 with a top 10 album "L", and to a certain extent filled the void left by the fragmentation of the Gong "classic" line up. This has meant that in the minds of many people, over time, the output of Gong and of the Steve Hillage Band has fused.
Gong is cited as a primary influence by many new generation "psychedelic" artists and by many major figures in the dance music scene. It was no surprise that Massive Attack invited Gong to be part of their 2008 Meltdown lineup. In the late 1980s Steve Hillage re-emerged as an influential figure in dance music, a position he retains to this day with the System 7 project with fellow Gong member Miquette Giraudy.
At the Gong event in 2006 Steve Hillage also performed a short Steve Hillage Band set of his 70s material, using Gong's bass player and drummer as the rhythm section. All 8 Steve Hillage solo albums were re-mastered and re-issued on CD in 2007 by EMI Virgin and continue to sell well.
CLICK TO READ A REVIEW: Gong, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
GONG in 2009
VAT are offering GONG as the priority act, but subject to schedule and a suitable extra fee it is also possible to discuss a STEVE HILLAGE BAND live set too. This broadens the appeal for the audience and is a likely format for the Autumn shows.
Product : Both the Gong and Steve Hillage Band DVDs from the 2006 Gong convention will be released on DVD in early 2009, with press support. In support of this, Gong will perform at summer Festival events across Europe.
A new Gong studio album of new material will be released in early September 2009. GONG will then play indoor shows from September onwards with the Steve Hillage Band as special guests in support of their new album.
Tel +44 207 704 9720
Email: dan@vathq.co.uk
