Andy Sears
Encyclopedia
Andy Sears is a British musician
and vocalist/composer of the band Twelfth Night
from November 1983 to December 1986, and again from June 2007 to the present day.
Sears was born of Anglo-Greek parentage and grew up in a village that was renowned for rock musicians.
At the age of 11, Sears began studying classical piano at High Trees boarding school, and became a soprano at the local Sidlow Church, Horley, encouraged by the school’s head master, John Norsworthy. In 1973, he turned down an offer of a place at St Paul's Cathedral Choir School, deciding against an ecclesiastical education. He transferred to Sackville School in East Grinstead, where he formed his first band Silva in 1975 with best friend Richard Leeves on guitar, Robert "Shoey" Shoesmith on drums, and Dean Cooke on bass, later adding Keith Lewis on rhythm guitar. Mick 'Woody' Woodmansey, drummer with David Bowie band Spiders From Mars, would often go along to band rehearsals to offer advice and tutorials. At the same time, Sears filled the vocalist role in Tonbridge Public School band Isis, with Julian Dunkley on guitar, Graham Clayton on bass and Tim Bick on drums.
In 1979, Andy and Rick were invited to EMI's Manchester Square studios to record two tracks for the Metal for Muthas album, taking along ex-Grind drummer Alan Valance. Unfortunately, difficulty in finding an adequate bass player in time meant that the tracks, 2000 Lady and Alien Lover were never included. The album went on to launch the career of Iron Maiden
. Sears, Leeves and Valance stayed on in London, joining forces with ex-Grind guitarist Bill Muir, and bringing Dean Cooke back in on bass. The band changed their name to 2000, and went into heavy rehearsals at Latimer Road studios, West London. Eventually, internal disputes were to break the band apart, and the members went their separate ways.
Sears moved back to East Grinstead, where he rejoined Dunkley and Clayton in Isis II, along with David Saunders on guitar and Richard Cavalier on drums.
During this period, Sears met and became good friends with ex-Monkees frontman David Jones
. Jones was recovering from a hiatus in his career, and the two began living together to co-write material for Jones' subsequent recordings.
In 1982, Pioneer Records released a live album, Hello Davy, featuring two songs co-written by Sears, alongside other songs from Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Neil Sedaka. Sears never received any royalties, either from the album or from the live Japanese shows from which the songs were recorded. Following this, Jones and Sears met with Pete Townshend
at Eel Pie Studios to record some more demos.
In mid-1982, Sears replaced Jackie Bodimead in the pomp-rock group Canis Major. The band had been formed in 1976 by Jackie and her brother Tony, influenced by class 70s bands such as Rush
, Genesis
, Yes
, Saga, Pink Floyd
, Led Zeppelin
, Fleetwood Mac
, Heart
and Queen
. Jackie left the band in mid-1982 to join She and then Girlschool
.
The line up at this time was Tony Bodimead (guitar), Phil Day (keyboards), Nigel 'Nog' Day (bass), Carl Warner (drums) and Andy Sears (vocals). Andy gigged extensively with Canis Major during 1983, but left that summer to be replaced for the last few months of the band’s existence by Brighton-based vocalist Neil Barnett.
Sears joined Twelfth Night in December 1983, and left in December 1986.
After a few years out of the music business, Andy acted as a musical director for a 1991 tribute concert in Athens, featuring Neil Sedaka
, The Platters
, Bill Haley's Comets, and The Shirelles
amongst others. Andy also completed his university degree around this time. In 1992 Andy met up with Clive Mitten
and began writing material for a new album. However, in the end they both left the UK after finishing their respective degrees: Sears emigrating to Spain, and Mitten to Australia. Andy became actively involved in various projects in Spain. He recorded three new songs in 1999 ("End of My Blues", "Magdalena", and "Save My Soul") and made a 2004 appearance at the Tiana Festival in Barcelona
, originally planned as a Twelfth Night reunion. In 2007, Andy appeared at the Tiana Festival again to pay homage to Xavi Petit, one of the organisers who had died that year. Andy sang "Love Song", accompanying himself on piano. Andy has also been working with Spanish band Galadriel on their new album.
Andy started work on a solo album in 2009, for possible release in 2010.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and vocalist/composer of the band Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night (band)
Twelfth Night are an English neo-progressive rock band of the 1980s, reformed in 2007.-Formation:The seeds of Twelfth Night were sown when guitarist Andy Revell and drummer Brian Devoil joined forces on 23 February 1978 to win a talent competition at Reading University. The road crew included Geoff...
from November 1983 to December 1986, and again from June 2007 to the present day.
Sears was born of Anglo-Greek parentage and grew up in a village that was renowned for rock musicians.
At the age of 11, Sears began studying classical piano at High Trees boarding school, and became a soprano at the local Sidlow Church, Horley, encouraged by the school’s head master, John Norsworthy. In 1973, he turned down an offer of a place at St Paul's Cathedral Choir School, deciding against an ecclesiastical education. He transferred to Sackville School in East Grinstead, where he formed his first band Silva in 1975 with best friend Richard Leeves on guitar, Robert "Shoey" Shoesmith on drums, and Dean Cooke on bass, later adding Keith Lewis on rhythm guitar. Mick 'Woody' Woodmansey, drummer with David Bowie band Spiders From Mars, would often go along to band rehearsals to offer advice and tutorials. At the same time, Sears filled the vocalist role in Tonbridge Public School band Isis, with Julian Dunkley on guitar, Graham Clayton on bass and Tim Bick on drums.
In 1979, Andy and Rick were invited to EMI's Manchester Square studios to record two tracks for the Metal for Muthas album, taking along ex-Grind drummer Alan Valance. Unfortunately, difficulty in finding an adequate bass player in time meant that the tracks, 2000 Lady and Alien Lover were never included. The album went on to launch the career of Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
. Sears, Leeves and Valance stayed on in London, joining forces with ex-Grind guitarist Bill Muir, and bringing Dean Cooke back in on bass. The band changed their name to 2000, and went into heavy rehearsals at Latimer Road studios, West London. Eventually, internal disputes were to break the band apart, and the members went their separate ways.
Sears moved back to East Grinstead, where he rejoined Dunkley and Clayton in Isis II, along with David Saunders on guitar and Richard Cavalier on drums.
During this period, Sears met and became good friends with ex-Monkees frontman David Jones
Davy Jones (actor)
David Thomas "Davy" Jones is an English rock singer-songwriter and actor best known as a member of the Monkees.-Early life:...
. Jones was recovering from a hiatus in his career, and the two began living together to co-write material for Jones' subsequent recordings.
In 1982, Pioneer Records released a live album, Hello Davy, featuring two songs co-written by Sears, alongside other songs from Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Neil Sedaka. Sears never received any royalties, either from the album or from the live Japanese shows from which the songs were recorded. Following this, Jones and Sears met with Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
at Eel Pie Studios to record some more demos.
In mid-1982, Sears replaced Jackie Bodimead in the pomp-rock group Canis Major. The band had been formed in 1976 by Jackie and her brother Tony, influenced by class 70s bands such as Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Saga, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
, Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
and Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
. Jackie left the band in mid-1982 to join She and then Girlschool
Girlschool
Girlschool are a British heavy metal band originating out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene in 1978 and frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead. They are the longest running all-female rock band, still active after more than 30 years...
.
The line up at this time was Tony Bodimead (guitar), Phil Day (keyboards), Nigel 'Nog' Day (bass), Carl Warner (drums) and Andy Sears (vocals). Andy gigged extensively with Canis Major during 1983, but left that summer to be replaced for the last few months of the band’s existence by Brighton-based vocalist Neil Barnett.
Sears joined Twelfth Night in December 1983, and left in December 1986.
After a few years out of the music business, Andy acted as a musical director for a 1991 tribute concert in Athens, featuring Neil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard...
, The Platters
The Platters
The Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
, Bill Haley's Comets, and The Shirelles
The Shirelles
The Shirelles were an African-American girl group that achieved popularity in the early 1960s. They consisted of schoolmates Shirley Owens , Doris Coley , Addie "Micki" Harris , and Beverly Lee...
amongst others. Andy also completed his university degree around this time. In 1992 Andy met up with Clive Mitten
Clive Mitten
Clive Richard Mitten is a British musician and is a member of the band Twelfth Night, both between November 1978 and December 1986 and again since the band reformed in June 2007.- References :...
and began writing material for a new album. However, in the end they both left the UK after finishing their respective degrees: Sears emigrating to Spain, and Mitten to Australia. Andy became actively involved in various projects in Spain. He recorded three new songs in 1999 ("End of My Blues", "Magdalena", and "Save My Soul") and made a 2004 appearance at the Tiana Festival in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, originally planned as a Twelfth Night reunion. In 2007, Andy appeared at the Tiana Festival again to pay homage to Xavi Petit, one of the organisers who had died that year. Andy sang "Love Song", accompanying himself on piano. Andy has also been working with Spanish band Galadriel on their new album.
Andy started work on a solo album in 2009, for possible release in 2010.