Artist description gpwayne is currently in the middle of his life. An experienced musician, performer, engineer and producer, he also writes and publishes articles, essays and satire on the human condition. The songs range across several styles and reflect the diverse influences and tastes of the artist, whose life has been a strange composite of many unique and valuable experiences, both in entertainments and the business world.

Music Style A fusion of pop, rock, groove, jazz and orchestral textures accompanying satirical and ironic songs about life, the universe and everything...

Musical Influences Randy Newman, Donald Fagin, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Joni Mitchell, Weather Report, Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock, Earth Wind and Fire, John Macloughlin, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Beach Boys, Ry Cooder, Manhattan Transfer, Delius, Chopin, Blood Sweat and Tears, Hall and Oates, Tower of Power

Similar Artists Randy Newman, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Robert Wyatt, Donald Fagin, Steely Dan, Steve Harley

Artist History Born: 1952, London Education: Technical High School (quit aged 15) Qualifications: none Interests: music performance and composition, writing, philosophy, science and new technologies, history, cinema and literature, aviation (holder, Private Pilot’s Licence). Showbiz (mainly 1966 - 1985) Started classical piano and music theory training at age 4 Bought my first album, Axis: Bold As Love by Jimi Hendrix Stopped classical music training Joined my first band, Magician, playing keyboards. First recording experience Joined semi-pro band Puckles Blend as organ player. Recorded a single at Mayfair Studios Booking agent at Lynton Maitland Associates. Organised "package deal" all-nighters for several London colleges. Promoted Yes at Goldsmiths early in the band's career. Turned pro aged 17. Joined Dave Dee's backing band after he'd left Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich, playing keyboards, vibes and bass guitar. Worked on the cabaret circuit, usually playing two venues a night. Estimate I did 400 gigs in my first year as a pro. Started to work as session musician, playing bass guitar. Began learning sound engineering. Later worked as bass player with: The Nashville Teens, Flirtations, Life, Seventh Wave (the first ever synth band, with no less than 11 keyboards on stage - this was 1974 - of which 8 would be working at any one time), Rosetta Hightower, Mano Ventura (awesome Peruvian jazz guitarist, largely ignored in the UK) Pete Wilshire, Bob Loveday, Maxine Nightingale, Chip Hawkes (ex-Tremelos), Charlie Ainley, Inner City Unit (fronted by ex-Hawkwind sax player Nick Turner, we played support on Sham 69's last UK tour, which was pretty mad), and Macca's cousin Kate Robbins. Also played in dance and cover bands, functions and altogether too many gigs I would rather not bring up here. Toured the US three times, played most countries in Europe and all the major venues in the UK, including the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium (playing on stage with the house orchestra). Live Sound Engineer: including Renaissance, Chick Corea, Flying Pickets, various festivals Crew - tour/festivals: America, Elton John, Sha Na Na, Beach Boys, Richie Havens, Melanie, Renaissance, Jerry Lee Lewis, Cambridge Folk Festival, David Bowie, Deep Purple, Arthur Brown, Steve Stills, Chick Corea, Stanley Clark Recording sound engineer: after training at the Who's studio Ramport, I worked as a freelance in many of the top studios in London, including Pye, Phonogram, Odessy, CBS Whitfield St, Roundhouse, CTS, Konk, Olympia, The Townhouse and many others. Producer: various unreleased projects, except one (see next item). My biggest hit: In 1983 I made a Bluebeat/Ska impersonation of the theme tune to Coronation Street, accompanied by my recut of a 1953 Pathe 2-reeler (their first ever in colour) of the young Queen’s visit to Jamaica. Released at the same time a member of the cast was arrested for interfering with children in a swimming pool, we got very little coverage. Still made it to 98 in the UK charts, and the record, a known favourite of Radio 1 DJ Janice Long, pops up on the radio from time to time. The rights are now owned by Warner Records. Appeared in TV film "Coast to Coast" with Lenny Henry and John Shea, playing in a fictional soul band, for which I also recorded the music and played the sessions. Got the coveted "band member closeup", but mimed the wrong bass break. Didn't have the nerve to ask for a retake. MUSICAL CAREER DIVERTED BY COMPUTING AND A LONG FORAY INTO THE BUSINESS WORLD. FOR FULL DETAILS SEE WWW.GPWAYNE.COM/BIO.HTM Which brings me to the present day. After the 15-year roller-coaster ride that was my business career, I could no longer take it seriously. For the most part, people I worked for were merely seeking money and status, goals that alone can have a deleterious effect on one's life. For the most part, I was in conflict with them unintentionally, because we did not share a dedication to the pursuit of excellence. As a consultant, I often felt like a helpless spectator. I feel passionate - indeed I want to feel passionate - about most of the things I do, yet business consultancy forbids such involvement, such loss of objectivity. It was time for change, and I knew it. I also knew that if there was one thing, lying on a theoretical deathbed at that moment, that I would regret having not done, that thing was making music. I came home from Vancouver, and as 2001 got under way I build a recording studio, and started recording the songs you can hear on this web site. From that day until this, that's what I've been doing. The story so far.

Group Members gpwayne: I'm it.

Instruments Principle instrument: Bass guitar. Secondary: Piano, Organ, Guitar

Albums Songs from the Middle Ages

Press Reviews Not so far...but watch this space

Location Exeter, Devon - United Kingdom

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).