I wrote a while ago about how I’d shared some of my early memories of Marillion with an author who was writing the definitive history of the band.
Well the book has been published. It’s called Separated Out. I picked up a copy in Borders today. The piece I wrote has been used almost unedited as a sidebar.
So now I have a credit in a book about an almost forgotten progressive rock band. I’m trying to work out if this is a good thing :)
Wow. This is _such_ a small world. Yet another strange connection between my world and yours.
I saw Marillion perform at a fraternity party at UCLA. I was still in high school at the time, but I thought they were pretty impressive. I liked early Genesis a lot, so that obviously wasn’t much of a stretch. But anyway, it was weird to read this posting of yours.
John
Hi again Dave,Found your blog, it’s good.I’ve recently been listening to Marillion again, due to broadband, and MP3, and really, really still like Misplaced Childhood. I’ve never heard any ex-Fish Marillion, how does it ccompare?Robert
To be honest, I’ve not listened to any post-Fish Marillion either. I’m very close to buying CDs of all the albums with Fish on tho’. My current copies are all on vinyl.
I was just looking at a Marillion CD and I was about to buy it. I think I’ll go get it next time I go back
Hi,I personally don’t like many of the none Fish Marillion albums except possibly the last effort ‘Anoraknophobia’. Many of the Fish solo albums are very good though. I personally recommend the 1997 release ‘Sunset on Empires’ along with ‘Yin’ and ‘Yang’ 2 albums compiling Fish’s best tracks from his early solo recordings along with a couple of Marillion re recordings.Cheers,Thomas
Check out Fish’s official website. There you can get details on all his solo work and, yes, acting career. (He has appeared in a number of films and TV shows inc. Taggart and The Bill).http://www.the-company.com/
I’d never even heard of Marillion when I very first came across them. It was at the Monsters of Rock Festival at Donnington in 1985, and they were on the bill with Magnum, Bon Jovi, Metallica, I think Ratt were there too, and ZZ Top (who were headlining.) I can remember the day well. There was the usual bottle throwing and chants of “Tommy is a w*****” to compare Tommy Vance. Most of the bands were at their best. Bon Jovi were a fairly new band back then. Metalica were very “heavy.” The other bands were all excellent and the croud was unbelievable. I was about 17 years old then, and had never been to a festival before. I was in awe of everything that went off. I remember a couple of old hippies who were absolutly stoned out of their heads, and complete with air guitars, spent most of the day rocking their little socks off. As told earlier, a lot of bottle throwing was had, and the main targets were the bands. About all of the bands who appeared recieved this treatment until Marillion appeared on stage. The begining of the set started off in the same manner, but there was something about Fish’ presence that ended all of this. The band just seemed to take control of the situation. When Fish said “clap” the whole audience raised their hands and clapped. The atmosphere changed. The crowd stopped the chants and the throwing and actually watched and listened to the band play. It was at the time when Misplaced Childhood had recently been released and the band virtually played the album from finnish to end. It was pure poetic to watch. Then with the likes of Fugazi, Market Square Hero’s and Script for a Jester’s Tear thrown in for good measure, the scene was set. The crowd jumped, clapped and followed the songs played for them as if it were totally natural and that they had automatically been programmed to do so. Fish was just a presence in himself. I, presonally, believe that Marillion should have headlined that event as they blew the rest away. From that day on, I brought all the albums, the T-shirts, etc. etc… For me it was a sad day when Fish quit the band. Fish was the ultimate front man. Anyway, Marillion are a band, who to me, will always hold a very special place in the concept of “concept.” I’ve spent many hours with the enjoyment of a Marillion album playing and their lyrics haunting my thoughts. Unfortunatly I never had the pleasure to see Marillion play live again. But then again, you don’t need to experience vast quantities realise that this was surely a band who you can place in the catagory of pure excellence. Long live Marilion.
Marillion? Forgotten? Never! Find a better way of life at http://www.marillion.com
Agree… definitelynot forgotten. Check out new album ‘Marbles’ or (even better) ‘Afraid of Sunlight.And catch them live – still the best!
marillion/hogarth stuff is just fantastic i believe it knocks the socks of the fish stuff now. Don’t get me wrong I loved the fish stuff back in its day but Marillion have grown up. I believe if fish had stayed with Marillion they would have give up a long time ago. Go on listen to Hogarth/Marillion stuff and exercise your ears
Gee Bee,I’ll admit that I am irrationally prejudiced against Steve Hogarth. This stems from seeing him in his previous band, the Europeans, a couple of times back in the mid 80s. They were one of the worst bands I’d ever seen.