Annie Haslam
Encyclopedia
Annie Haslam is an English progressive rock
vocalist and songwriter.
Originally a fashion student, she began studying under opera singer Sybil Knight in 1970 and developed her five-octave vocal range. In February 1971, she became the new lead singer of Renaissance
, after answering an advertisement in a magazine, and auditioning for the band in Surrey
.
In 1977, she began her solo career with her album Annie in Wonderland
, produced by Roy Wood
who played most of the musical instrument
s, and who also duetted
with her on one track, and also performed on the Intergalactic Touring Band
album. Haslam and Wood were engaged to be married for four years, which she later described as "Four of the funniest years of my life". She has since released eight studio albums, three of which were released through her own record label, White Dove. She has also collaborated with Steve Howe
on a number of projects.
In 1993 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she survived and which became the inspiration for her 1994 album, Blessing in Disguise.
Her 2006 Live Studio Concert, was also released as her first solo DVD. Haslam released an EP called Night and Day, her first solo recording for some years, with Welsh rock band Magenta
in 2006.
Haslam currently resides in Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania
.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
vocalist and songwriter.
Originally a fashion student, she began studying under opera singer Sybil Knight in 1970 and developed her five-octave vocal range. In February 1971, she became the new lead singer of Renaissance
Renaissance (band)
Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, most notable for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock classics like "Carpet of the Sun", "Mother Russia" and "Ashes Are Burning".-Original incarnation :...
, after answering an advertisement in a magazine, and auditioning for the band in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
.
In 1977, she began her solo career with her album Annie in Wonderland
Annie in Wonderland
Annie in Wonderland is the first solo album by Annie Haslam, vocalist with the 1970s band Renaissance. It was produced by the multi-talented Roy Wood, who also wrote some of the material, arranged all the songs, played nearly all of the instruments , and illustrated the cover...
, produced by Roy Wood
Roy Wood
Roy Adrian Wood is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the bands The Move, Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands.-Career:Wood...
who played most of the musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
s, and who also duetted
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
with her on one track, and also performed on the Intergalactic Touring Band
Intergalactic Touring Band
The Intergalactic Touring Band was not an actual music group but rather a science fiction pop music concept album released in 1977 by the now defunct Passport Records in America and Charisma Records in England. The ensemble album featured many star performers from progressive rock and other...
album. Haslam and Wood were engaged to be married for four years, which she later described as "Four of the funniest years of my life". She has since released eight studio albums, three of which were released through her own record label, White Dove. She has also collaborated with Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
on a number of projects.
In 1993 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she survived and which became the inspiration for her 1994 album, Blessing in Disguise.
Her 2006 Live Studio Concert, was also released as her first solo DVD. Haslam released an EP called Night and Day, her first solo recording for some years, with Welsh rock band Magenta
Magenta (Welsh band)
Magenta are a Welsh progressive rock band formed in 1999 by ex-Cyan member Rob Reed. Reed takes his influences from bands like Genesis, Mike Oldfield, Yes, Eurythmics and Björk.-Current Lineup:*Christina Booth: lead vocals....
in 2006.
Haslam currently resides in Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Solo discography
- 1977: Annie in WonderlandAnnie in WonderlandAnnie in Wonderland is the first solo album by Annie Haslam, vocalist with the 1970s band Renaissance. It was produced by the multi-talented Roy Wood, who also wrote some of the material, arranged all the songs, played nearly all of the instruments , and illustrated the cover...
- 1985: Still LifeStill Life (Annie Haslam album)Still Life is the second solo album by Renaissance vocalist Annie Haslam, recorded with Louis Clark and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1985....
- 1989: Annie HaslamAnnie Haslam (album)Annie Haslam is the third solo album by Renaissance vocalist Annie Haslam, released in 1989.The album consisted mostly of original material and included covers of Mike Oldfield's "Moonlight Shadow", which had been a UK number 4 hit in 1983, and Rose Royce's 1978 UK number 3 hit "Wishing on a...
- 1994: Blessing in Disguise
- 1995: Tales From Yesterday (Yes tribute Album) (guest vocalist)
- 1998: Live Under Brazilian Skies
- 1999: The Dawn of Ananda
- 1999: Portraits of Bob DylanPortraits of Bob Dylan- Musicians :* Steve Howe – guitar, bass, banjo, piano, mandolin, organ, keyboards, lead and backing vocals* Dylan Howe – drums* Geoff Downes – keyboards* Anna Palm – violin* Nathalie Manser – cello* Jon Anderson – lead vocals* Annie Haslam – lead vocals...
by Steve HoweSteve Howe (guitarist)Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
(album) (guest vocalist) - 2000: It Snows in Heaven Too
- 2002: One Enchanted Evening
- 2005: Icon by John WettonJohn WettonJohn Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
& Geoff DownesGeoff DownesGeoffrey "Geoff" Downes is an English rock keyboard player, songwriter, best known as the keyboardist for the bands The Buggles, Yes and Asia, of which he is the only consistent member. When he was a keyboardist for The Buggles, he played multiple keyboards to achieve a New Wave technopop sound...
(album) (guest vocalist) - 2006: Miles of Music by Bob Miles (guest vocalist)
- 2006: Live Studio Concert
- 2006: Night and Day EP with MagentaMagenta (Welsh band)Magenta are a Welsh progressive rock band formed in 1999 by ex-Cyan member Rob Reed. Reed takes his influences from bands like Genesis, Mike Oldfield, Yes, Eurythmics and Björk.-Current Lineup:*Christina Booth: lead vocals....
written for Haslam by Rob Reed and Christina BoothChristina BoothChristina Maria Booth is a Welsh progressive rock vocalist and singer-songwriter.Since its inception in 2001, she has been the lead vocalist for the Welsh progressive rock band Magenta, in which she collaborates with Rob Reed.... - 2007: Woman Transcending
External links
- AnnieHaslam.com – Official page
- Annie Haslam Interview with Alison Steele, August 1989
- CD Baby's 2007 page on Woman Transcending with extensive notes by Haslam and her updated biography